1 To boast is necessary, though it is not profitable; yet I will come to visions {optasias: supernatural sights} and revelations of the Lord {Kyrios, Sovereign Revealer}.
2 I know a man in Christ {Christos, Sphere Of Revelation} who, fourteen years ago, was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body I do not know or apart from the body I do not know; God {Theos, All-Knowing Witness} knows.
3 And I know such a man—whether in the body {soma: physical being} or apart from the body, I do not know; God {Theos, Supreme Knower} knows.
4 That he was caught up into paradise {paradeisos: place of divine bliss}, and he heard inexpressible words which it is not lawful {exon: morally allowed} for a man to speak.
5 On behalf of such a one {toioutou: person like-this} I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses {astheneiais: bodily frailty failings}.
6 For if I should desire to boast, I will not be foolish {aphron: lacking sound judgment}, for I will speak {ero: declare openly} truth; but I refrain, lest anyone might think of me beyond what he sees in me or hears from me.
7 And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, therefore, in order that I might not be exalted above measure, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan {Satana: spiritual adversary}, in order that he might buffet me, so that I should not be exalted {huperairomai: lifted up in pride}.
8 Concerning this, three times I pleaded with the Lord {kurios, Sovereign Hearer} that it might depart from me {emou: away from myself}.
9 And He {Christos, Speaking Lord} has said to me, “My grace {charis: undeserved favor} is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore, I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses for the sake of Christ {Christos, Suffering Messiah}; for whenever I am weak {astheno: physically or morally powerless}, then I am strong.
11 I have become a fool {aphron: socially irrational}; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing did I fall short of those exceedingly great apostles {hyperlian: so-called superiors}, even if I am nothing.
12 Indeed the signs of the apostle were accomplished among you in all patience {hypomone: enduring steadfastness}, with signs and wonders and mighty deeds {dynameis: evident miracles}.
13 For in what respect were you made inferior {hessothete: treated as less} to the other churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Please forgive me this wrong {adikia: relational offense}.
14 Behold, for the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden, for I am not seeking your possessions but you {hymas: personal relationship}. For the children are not obligated to save up for the parents {goneis: family responsibility}, but the parents for the children.
15 But I{ego: personal emphasis} will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls{psyche: inner life}; if I love you more abundantly, am I loved less?
16 But let it be so: I did not burden you; nevertheless, being crafty {panourgos: unscrupulously shrewd}, I took you in by deceit {dolos: manipulative fraud}.
17 Did I take advantage {pleonekteo: gain unfairly} of you through any of those {hon: sent people} whom I have sent to you?
18 I urged Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Surely Titus did not take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit {pneuma: united outlook}? Did we not walk in the same steps {ichnos: consistent conduct}?
19 Have you been thinking all along that we are defending ourselves to you? Before God {Theos, All-Seeing Witness} in Christ {Christos, Covenant Mediator} we speak; but all things, beloved, are for your edification.
20 For I fear, lest perhaps when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and I may be found by you as you do not wish—lest perhaps there be strife, jealousy {zelos: zealous rivalry}, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, slanders, whisperings {psithyrismoi: secret talk}, arrogances, disorders.
21 Lest, when I come again, my God {Theos, Gracious Corrector} might humble me before you, and I might mourn over many of those who have sinned previously and have not repented of the uncleanness {akatharsia: defiling impurity} and sexual immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.