I must go on boasting. vvv Although there is nothing to gain ... , - I will go on to visions and Revelation -s from (the) Lord.
I know a man in Christ (who) fourteen years ago - - was caught up to (the) third heaven. Whether (it was) in (the) body - - or out of - (it) vvv I do not know , - (but) God knows.
And I know that (this) - man — whether in (the) body or out of - (it) vvv I do not know , - (but) God knows —
- was caught up to - Paradise . (The things) he heard (were) too sacred for words , things that man vvv is not permitted to tell.
I will boast about - such a man , but vvv I will not boast about myself , except ... in (my) weaknesses.
Even if I wanted to boast , vvv I would not be a fool , because I would be speaking (the) tRuth -. But I refrain , (so) (no one) will credit - me with more than - he sees in me or - hears from me ,
or because of these surpassingly great - Revelation -s. So to vvv keep me from becoming conceited , I was given a thorn in (my) flesh , a messenger of Satan , to torment me - - -.
Three times I pleaded with the Lord - - to take it away from me.
But He said to me , “ My - grace is sufficient for you , for (My) power is perfected in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my - weaknesses , so that the power - of Christ may rest on me.
That is why , for the sake of Christ , I delight in weaknesses , in insults , in hardships , in persecutions , (in) difficulties. For when I am weak , then I am strong.
I have become a fool , (but) you drove me (to it). In fact , - you should have commended me , since vvv I am in no way inferior to those “ super-apostles ... , ” even though I am nothing.
The true Mark -s - of an apostle — signs , - - wonders , and miracles — were performed among you with great perseverance.
- In what way ... ... were you inferior to the other churches , except ... that I - vvv was not a burden to you ? Forgive me this - wrong !
See - , I am ready to come to you a third time , and vvv I will not be a burden , because vvv I am not seeking your (possessions) , but you. For - children should not have ... to save up for (their) parents , but - parents for (their) children.
And for the sake of your - souls , I {will} most gladly spend my money and (myself). If I love you more , will (you) love me less ?
- Be that as it may , I vvv was not a burden to you ; but crafty as I am , I caught you by trickery.
vvv Did I exploit you by - anyone - I sent - you ?
I urged Titus - (to visit you) , and I sent (our) brother (with him). {Did} Titus - exploit you (in any way) ? vvv Did we not walk in the same Spirit (and follow) in the same footsteps ?
Have you been thinking all along that we were making a defense to you ? We speak before God in Christ , and all of (this) , beloved , (is) vvv vvv to build you up.
For I am afraid (that) when I come , vvv vvv I may not find you as I wish , and you may not find {me} ... as you wish. (I fear) that there may be quarreling , jealousy , rage , rivalry , slander , gossip , arrogance , (and) disorder.
(I am afraid that) vvv when I come again , my - God will humble me before you , and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and vvv have not repented of - their Acts - of - impurity , - sexual immorality , and debauchery.