1 T o boast, really, is not profitable for me, for I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. For I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2 I have known a man in Christ, fourteen years ago -- whether in the body I have not known, whether out of the body I have not known, God hath known -- such an one being caught away unto the third heaven;

I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I don’t know, or whether out of the body, I don’t know; God knows), such a one caught up into the third heaven.

3 a nd I have known such a man -- whether in the body, whether out of the body, I have not known, God hath known, --

I know such a man (whether in the body, or outside of the body, I don’t know; God knows),

4 t hat he was caught away to the paradise, and heard unutterable sayings, that it is not possible for man to speak.

how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

5 O f such an one I will boast, and of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities,

On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.

6 f or if I may wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for truth I will say; but I forebear, lest any one in regard to me may think anything above what he doth see me, or doth hear anything of me;

For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, so that no man may think more of me than that which he sees in me, or hears from me.

7 a nd that by the exceeding greatness of the revelations I might not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of the Adversary, that he might buffet me, that I might not be exalted overmuch.

By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively.

8 C oncerning this thing thrice the Lord did I call upon, that it might depart from me,

Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

9 a nd He said to me, `Sufficient for thee is My grace, for My power in infirmity is perfected;' most gladly, therefore, will I rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of the Christ may rest on me:

He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.

10 w herefore I am well pleased in infirmities, in damages, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses -- for Christ; for whenever I am infirm, then I am powerful;

Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.

11 I have become a fool -- boasting; ye -- ye did compel me; for I ought by you to have been commended, for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles -- even if I am nothing.

I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing.

12 T he signs, indeed, of the apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds,

Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty works.

13 f or what is there in which ye were inferior to the rest of the assemblies, except that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this injustice!

For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong.

14 L o, a third time I am ready to come unto you, and I will not be a burden to you, for I seek not yours, but you, for the children ought not for the parents to lay up, but the parents for the children,

Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

15 a nd I most gladly will spend and be entirely spent for your souls, even if, more abundantly loving you, less I am loved.

I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?

16 A nd be it, I -- I did not burden you, but being crafty, with guile I did take you;

But be it so, I did not myself burden you. But, being crafty, I caught you with deception.

17 a ny one of those whom I have sent unto you -- by him did I take advantage of you?

Did I take advantage of you by anyone of them whom I have sent to you?

18 I entreated Titus, and did send with the brother; did Titus take advantage of you? in the same spirit did we not walk? -- did we not in the same steps?

I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Didn’t we walk in the same spirit? Didn’t we walk in the same steps?

19 A gain, think ye that to you we are making defence? before God in Christ do we speak; and the all things, beloved, for your up-building,

Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.

20 f or I fear lest, having come, not such as I wish I may find you, and I -- I may be found by you such as ye do not wish, lest there be strifes, envyings, wraths, revelries, evil-speakings, whisperings, puffings up, insurrections,

For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don’t desire; that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, riots;

21 l est again having come, my God may humble me in regard to you, and I may bewail many of those having sinned before, and not having reformed concerning the uncleanness, and whoredom, and lasciviousness, that they did practise.

that again when I come my God would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness and sexual immorality and lustfulness which they committed.