12:1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of Adonay.
12:2 I knew a man in Mashiach above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: Elohim (אלהים) knows;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
12:3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: Elohim (אלהים) knows;)
12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not permissive for a man to utter.
12:5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
12:6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but [now] I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me [to be], or [that] he heareth of me.
12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of adversary to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
12:8 For this thing I besought Adonay thrice, that it might depart from me.
12:9 And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Mashiach may rest upon me.
12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Mashiach's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
12:11 I am become a fool in glorying; you have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest shlichim, though I be nothing.
12:12 Truly the signs of a shliach were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
12:13 For what is it wherein you were inferior to other assemblies, except [it be] that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
12:14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
12:16 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
12:17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent to you?
12:18 I desired Titos, and I sent a brother with [him].
Did Titos take advantage of you?
Did we walked not in the same spirit?
Did we not in the same steps?
12:19 Again, think you that we excuse ourselves to you? we speak before Elohim (אלהים) in Mashiach: but [we do] all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
12:20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and [that] I shall be found to you such as you would not: lest [there be] debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
12:21 [And] lest, when I come again, my Elohim (אלהים) will humble me among you, and [that] I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.