Chapter 12

Caught Up into Heaven.^{[a] 1} Although nothing is to be gained by doing so, I must continue to boast. So I will move on to the visions and revelations given me from the Lord.

² I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows) was caught up to the third heaven. ³ And I know that this man (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows) ⁴ was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no man may repeat.

⁵ About this man I am willing to boast, but about myself I will not boast, except as it concerns my weaknesses. ⁶ Actually, if I were to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. However, I refrain from doing so in order that no one may regard me more highly than would be evident from what he has seen in me and heard from me.

A Boast of One’s Weakness.^{[b] 7} Therefore, to keep me from becoming unduly elated by the wondrous nature of these revelations, I was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to beat me and prevent me from becoming unduly elated. ⁸ Three times I begged the Lord to have it leave me, ⁹ but he answered me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”

Hence, I will boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell within me. ¹⁰ For this reason, I rejoice when I endure weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and distress for the sake of Christ. For it is when I am weak that I am strong.

¹¹ Characteristic Traits of an Apostle. I have been very foolish, but it was you who drove me to it. I should have been commended by you, for in no way did I prove to be inferior to those super-apostles, even though I am nothing. ¹² The traits of a true apostle were evident in what I did in your presence: perseverance, signs, wonders, and mighty deeds. ¹³ How then have you been less privileged than the other Churches, except that I myself did not place a burden on you? Forgive me for being so unfair!

¹⁴ Now I am getting ready to come to you for a third time, and I do not intend to be a burden to you. What I want is not your money, but you yourselves. Children are not expected to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. ¹⁵ I will be happy to spend and be spent for you. Are you going to love me less because I love you so much more?

¹⁶ In any case, let it be assumed that I myself did not prove to be a burden to you. However, you may say that I was crafty and took you in by a trick. ¹⁷ Did I take advantage of you through any of those I sent to you? ¹⁸ I urged Titus to come to you, and I sent a brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did not he and I walk in the same Spirit, in the same footsteps?

¹⁹ There Will Be No More Forgiveness. Have you been supposing all this time that we have been defending ourselves before you? Not at all! We have been speaking in Christ and in the presence of God, my dear ones, doing all things to build you up. ²⁰ I fear that when I come I may find you different from what I wish you to be, and that you may find me different from what you wish me to be.

I am afraid that this will lead to quarreling, jealousy, anger, factions, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. ²¹ I fear that when I come back my God may humiliate me in your presence and that I may have to mourn over many who previously sinned and have not repented of the impurity, immorality, and licentiousness in which they have indulged.