I knew a man in Christabovefourteenyears ago, (whether in the body, I cannottell; or whether out of the body, I cannottell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the thirdheaven.
For though I woulddesire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man shouldthink of me abovethatwhich he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
And lest I should be exaltedabovemeasurethrough the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exaltedabovemeasure.
And he saidunto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is madeperfect in weakness. Mostgladlythereforewill I ratherglory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may restupon me.
Therefore I takepleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’ssake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
I am become a fool in glorying; ye havecompelled me: for I ought to havebeencommended of you: for in nothing am I behind the verychiefestapostles, though I be nothing.
Behold, the thirdtime I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the childrenought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be foundunto you such as ye would not: lestthere be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
And lest, when I comeagain, my God willhumble me among you, and that I shallbewailmanywhichhavesinnedalready, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousnesswhichtheyhavecommitted.