12:1   Boasting may become necessary, though it does not profit; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

12:2  I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a man became caught up to the third heaven.

12:3   And I know how such a man--whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows--

12:4   became caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man does not have permission to speak.

12:5   On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses.

12:6  For if I do wish to boast I will not feel foolish, for I will speak the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.

12:7  Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, God gave me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself!

12:8   Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.

12:9  And He has said to me, "My grace proves sufficient for you, for power perfects in weakness" Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

12:10  Therefore I feel well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I seem weak, then I have strength.

12:11  I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me Actually I should have received commendation by you, for in no respect did I prove inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I seem a nobody.

12:12   The signs of a true apostle you had performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.

12:13   For in what respect did you receive treatment as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

12:14  Here for this third time I find myself ready to come to you, and I will not burden you; for I do not seek yours, but you; for children do not have the responsibility to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

12:15  I will most gladly spend and expend myself for your souls If I love you more, do you love me less?

12:16   But though it may seem, I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I have prove myself, I took you in by deceit.

12:17   Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I?

12:18   I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps?

12:19   All this time you have thought that we defended ourselves to you. Actually, it has proved in the sight of God that we have spoken in Christ; and all for your edification, beloved.

12:20  For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you to have become not what I wish and you may find me not what you wish; that perhaps there will occur strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances;

12:21  I fear that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.