1
Boasting is necessary, though not beneficial. But I shall come to visions and revelations of the Master.
2
I know an ish in the Anointed fourteen years ago— whether in body, I do not know, or outside the body, I do not know; Elohim knows— such a one was caught up to the third heaven.
3
And I know such an ish— whether in body or apart from the body, I do not know; Elohim knows—
4
that he was caught up into Paradise and heard unutterable words, which it is not permitted for an Adam to speak.
5
On behalf of such a one I shall boast, but on behalf of myself I shall not boast, except in my weaknesses.
6
For if I desire to boast, I shall not be foolish, for I shall speak truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should reckon concerning me beyond what he sees in me or hears from me.
7
And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, so that I would not be exalted, there was given to me a thorn in flesh, a messenger of the adversary to strike me, so that I would not be exalted.
8
Concerning this three times I petitioned the Master that it might depart from me.
9
And he said to me: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is completed in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I shall rather boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of the Anointed may dwell upon me.
10
Because of this I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for the sake of the Anointed. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
11
I have become foolish. You compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I behind the exceedingly great emissaries, even though I am nothing.
12
Indeed, the signs of an emissary were worked among you in all endurance, with signs, wonders, and mighty deeds.
13
For in what were you inferior to the other assemblies, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong.
14
See— this third time I am ready to come to you, and I shall not burden you, for I do not seek what belongs to you, but you. For the children are not obligated to store up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
15
And I shall most gladly spend and be spent for your beings, even if, loving you more abundantly, I am loved less.
16
But let it be so: I did not burden you. Yet being crafty, I caught you with deceit—
17
did I exploit you through any of those whom I sent to you?
18
I urged Titos, and with him I sent the brother. Did Titos exploit you? Did we not walk in the same ruach? Did we not walk in the same footsteps?
19
Have you been thinking all this time that we are defending ourselves before you? Before Elohim, in the Anointed, we speak. And all things, beloved, are for your building.
20
For I fear lest somehow, when I come, I may find you not as I desire, and I may be found by you not as you desire— lest there be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, rivalries, slanders, whisperings, arrogance, disorders,
21
lest again when I come, my Elohim humble me before you, and I mourn over many who sinned before and did not repent of the uncleanness, sexual immorality, and sensual excess which they practiced.