Chapter 12

  Well, it is not of profit to me to boast, for I will come to visions and revelations of [the] Lord.  

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  I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago, (whether in [the] body I know not, or out of the body I know not, God knows;) such [a one] caught up to [the] third heaven.  

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  And I know such a man, (whether in [the] body or out of the body I know not, God knows;)  

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  that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable things said which it is not allowed to man to utter.  

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  Of such [a one] I will boast, but of myself I will not boast, unless in my weaknesses.  

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  For if I shall desire to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I will say [the] truth; but I forbear, lest any one should think as to me above what he sees me [to be], or whatever he may hear of me.  

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  And that I might not be exalted by the exceeding greatness of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn for the flesh, a messenger of Satan that he might buffet me, that I might not be exalted.  

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  For this I thrice besought the Lord that it might depart from me.  

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  And he said to me, My grace suffices thee; for [my] power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of the Christ may dwell upon me.  

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  Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in straits, for Christ: for when I am weak, then I am powerful.  

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  I have become a fool; ye have compelled me; for I ought to have been commended by you; for I have been nothing behind those who were in surpassing degree apostles, if also I am nothing.  

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  The signs indeed of the apostle were wrought among you in all endurance, signs, and wonders, and works of power.  

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  For in what is it that ye have been inferior to the other assemblies, unless that I myself have not been in laziness a charge upon you? Forgive me this injury.  

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  Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be in laziness a charge; for I do not seek yours, but you; for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.  

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  Now I shall most gladly spend and be utterly spent for your souls, if even in abundantly loving you I should be less loved.  

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  But be it so. I did not burden you, but being crafty I took you by guile.  

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  Did I make gain of you by any of those whom I have sent to you?  

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  I begged Titus, and sent the brother with [him]: did Titus at all make gain of you? have we not walked in the same spirit? [have we] not in the same steps?  

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  Ye have long been supposing that we excuse ourselves to you: we speak before God in Christ; and all things, beloved, for your building up.  

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  For I fear lest perhaps coming I find you not such as I wish, and that I be found by you such as ye do not wish: lest [there might be] strifes, jealousies, angers, contentions, evil speakings, whisperings, puffings up, disturbances;  

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  lest my God should humble me as to you when I come again, and that I shall grieve over many of those who have sinned before, and have not repented as to the uncleanness and fornication and licentiousness which they have practised.  

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