1<\/sup>If it is necessary (though certainly not expedient) to glory, then I will next tell of visions and revelations from the Lord.<\/span> <\/p>\n 2<\/sup>I know a man in Christ, who, more than fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I do not know, or out of the body, I do not know: God knows), was enraptured to the third heaven.<\/span> <\/p>\n 3<\/sup>And I know a certain man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I do not know: God knows),<\/span> <\/p>\n 4<\/sup>who was enraptured into Paradise. And he heard words of mystery, which it is not permitted for man to speak.<\/span> <\/p>\n 5<\/sup>On behalf of someone like this, I will glory. But on behalf of myself, I will not glory about anything, except my infirmities.<\/span> <\/p>\n 6<\/sup>For even though I am willing to glory, I will not be foolish. But I will speak the truth. Yet I will do so sparingly, lest anyone may consider me to be anything more than what he sees in me, or anything more than what he hears from me.<\/span> <\/p>\n 7<\/sup>And lest the greatness of the revelations should extol me, there was given to me a prodding in my flesh: an angel of Satan, who struck me repeatedly.<\/span> <\/p>\n 8<\/sup>Because of this, three times I petitioned the Lord that it might be taken away from me.<\/span> <\/p>\n 9<\/sup>And he said to me: “My grace is sufficient for you. For virtue is perfected in weakness.” And so, willingly shall I glory in my weaknesses, so that the virtue of Christ may live within me.<\/span> <\/p>\n 10<\/sup>Because of this, I am pleased in my infirmity: in reproaches, in difficulties, in persecutions, in distresses, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am powerful.<\/span> <\/p>\n 11<\/sup>I have become foolish; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you. For I have been nothing less than those who claim to be above the measure of Apostles, even though I am nothing.<\/span> <\/p>\n 12<\/sup>And the seal of my Apostleship has been set over you, with all patience, with signs and wonders and miracles.<\/span> <\/p>\n 13<\/sup>For what is there that you have had which is less than the other churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this injury.<\/span> <\/p>\n 14<\/sup>Behold, this is the third time I have prepared to come to you, and yet I will not be a burden to you. For I am seeking not the things that are yours, but you yourselves. And neither should the children store up for the parents, but the parents for the children.<\/span> <\/p>\n 15<\/sup>And so, very willingly, I will spend and exhaust myself for the sake of your souls, loving you more, while being loved less.<\/span> <\/p>\n 16<\/sup>And so be it. I have not burdened you, but instead, being astute, I obtained you by guile.<\/span> <\/p>\n 17<\/sup>And yet, did I defraud you by means of any of those whom I sent to you?<\/span> <\/p>\n 18<\/sup>I asked for Titus, and I sent a brother with him. Did Titus defraud you? Did we not walk with the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?<\/span> <\/p>\n 19<\/sup>Have you ever thought that we should explain ourselves to you? We speak in the sight of God, in Christ. But all things, most beloved, are for your edification.<\/span> <\/p>\n 20<\/sup>Yet I fear, lest perhaps, when I have arrived, I might not find you such as I would want, and I might be found by you, such as you would not want. For perhaps there may be among you: contention, envy, animosity, dissension, detraction, whispering, self-exaltation, and rebellion.<\/span> <\/p>\n 21<\/sup>If so, then, when I have arrived, God may again humble me among you. And so, I mourn for the many who sinned beforehand, and did not repent, over the lust and fornication and homosexuality, which they have committed.<\/span> <\/p>\n