12 Boasting is not profitable, but necessary. I will now come to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Messiah who fourteen years ago — whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, but God knows — was caught up to the third heaven.  3 And I know that this man — whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows —  4 was caught up into paradise,[1137] and heard unspeakable things which a human being is not allowed to utter.  5 On behalf of such a man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.  6 For even if I desire to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I hold back, so that no one will think more of me than what he sees in me or hears from me.
    7 Because of the extreme greatness of these revelations, so that I would not exalt myself, a “thorn in the flesh” was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me — to keep me from exalting myself.  8 I begged the lord three times that it would depart from me.  9 He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, because my power is made strong in weakness.” That is why I will very gladly boast about my weaknesses, so that the Messiah’s power may live in me.  10 So I am very content with weaknesses, insults, troubles, persecutions, and difficulties for the Messiah’s sake, because when I am weak, then I am strong.
    11 I have become foolish, but you made me do this! For you ought to have commended me, as I am in no way inferior to those superior “apostles,” even though I am nothing.  12 In fact, the signs of a true Apostle were worked among you with all perseverance — signs, wonders, and miracles.  13 For in what way were you treated as inferior to the other churches, except that I myself was not any burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
    14 Now for the third time I am preparing to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you. For I am not after your money, but you! After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.  15 I will gladly spend and be spent — for you. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?  16 Even so, I have not been a burden to you. But being crafty, I caught you by deception!  17 I did not take advantage of you through anyone I have sent to you, did I?  18 I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent another brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same way?
    19 Have you been thinking all this time that we have been trying to defend ourselves to you? No, but in the sight of God we have been speaking in Messiah, and it is all to build you up, beloved. 20 For I am afraid that somehow when I come I might find you not the way I want you to be, and you might find me not the way you want me to be. I am afraid that perhaps there will be factions, jealousy, outbursts of anger, hostility, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.  21 I am afraid that when I come again, my God may humiliate me before you, and I will mourn over many of those who have sinned previously and have not repented of their impurity, sexual immorality, and indecent acts they committed.