夸口固然无益，但我是不得已的。我要来说主的异象和启示。
To boast is necessary, though indeed not expedient; yet I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

我认得一个在基督里的人，十四年前，这样的一位被提，直到第三层天里，（或在身内，我不晓得，或在身外，我也不晓得，只有神晓得。）
I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body I do not know, or outside the body I do not know; God knows) such a one was caught away to the third heaven.

并且我认得这样一个人（或在身内，或在身外，我都不晓得，只有神晓得），
And I know such a man (whether in the body or outside the body, I do not know; God knows),

他被提进乐园里，听见不能言传的话语，是人不可说的。
That he was caught away into Paradise and heard unspeakable words, which it is not allowed for a man to speak.

为这样的一位，我要夸口，但是为我自己，除了我的软弱以外，我并不夸口。
On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on behalf of myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.

我即使愿意夸口，也不是愚妄，因为我必说真话，只是我惜口不说，恐怕有人评估我，过于他在我身上所看见的，或从我所听见的。
For if I desire to boast, I will not be foolish, for I will speak the truth; but I refrain lest anyone account of me something above what he sees me to be or hears from me.

又恐怕我因所得启示的超越，就过于高抬自己，所以有一根刺，就是撒但的使者，加在我的肉体上，为要攻击我，免得我过于高抬自己。
And because of the transcendence of the revelations, in order that I might not be exceedingly lifted up, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, that he might buffet me, in order that I might not be exceedingly lifted up.

为这事，我三次求过主，叫这刺离开我。
Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

祂对我说，我的恩典够你用的，因为我的能力，是在人的软弱上显得完全。所以我极其喜欢夸我的软弱，好叫基督的能力覆庇我。
And He has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly therefore I will rather boast in my weaknesses that the power of Christ might tabernacle over me.

因此，我为基督的缘故，就以软弱、凌辱、贫困、逼迫、困苦为可喜悦的，因我什么时候软弱，什么时候就有能力了。
Therefore I am well pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions and distresses, on behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am powerful.

我成了愚妄人，是你们强逼我的。我本该为你们所推荐，因为我即使算不了什么，也没有一点赶不上那些超级的使徒。
I have become foolish; you yourselves have compelled me. For it is I who should have been commended by you; for in nothing am I inferior to the super-apostles, even though I am nothing.

我使徒的记号，确已在你们中间，以全般的忍耐，借着神迹、奇事和异能，完全显出来了。
Indeed the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all endurance by signs and wonders and works of power.

因为除了我自己不累着你们以外，你们还有什么事不及其余的召会？这不公之处，你们饶恕我吧！
For what is there in which you were treated in a manner inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Graciously forgive me this injustice!

看哪，这是我第三次预备好，要到你们那里去，也必不累着你们，因我所寻求的不是你们的东西，乃是你们自己。因为儿女不该为父母积蓄，父母乃该为儿女积蓄。
Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden; for I do not seek what is yours but you. For the children ought not to store up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

我极其喜欢为你们花费，并完全花上自己。难道我越发爱你们，就越发少得你们的爱么？
But I, I will most gladly spend and be utterly spent on behalf of your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved less?

罢了！我并没有加给你们担子，你们却有人说，我是狡猾诡诈，用诡计牢笼你们。
But let it be so! I did not burden you; but, as some of you say, being crafty, I took you by guile.

我所差到你们那里去的人，我借着其中一个占过你们的便宜么？
Did I take advantage of you through anyone whom I have sent to you?

我劝了提多，又差了那位弟兄同去。提多占过你们的便宜么？我们行事，不是在同一的灵里么？不是在同一的脚踪里么？
I entreated Titus and sent with him the brother. Titus did not take advantage of you, did he? Did we not walk in the same spirit? In the same steps?

人屡次受责备，仍然硬着颈项，他必顷刻破败，无法可治。
He who hardens his neck after being often reproved / Will suddenly be broken beyond remedy.

义人增多，民就喜乐；恶人掌权，民就叹息。
When the righteous increase, the people rejoice; / But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.

爱慕智慧的，使父亲喜乐；与妓女结交的，浪费资财。
Whoever loves wisdom makes his father glad, / But he who keeps company with harlots wastes his substance.

王借公平，使国坚立，但收取贿赂的，使国倾覆。
The king by justice establishes the land, / But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.

谄媚邻舍的，就是张设网罗绊他的脚。
A man who flatters his neighbor / Spreads a net for his steps.

恶人因过犯，自陷网罗，义人却欢呼喜乐。
In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare, / But the righteous man sings and rejoices.

义人知道穷人的权益；恶人没有聪明，就不得而知。
The righteous man knows the rights of the poor; / The wicked man has no understanding of such knowledge.

亵慢人煽惑通城，智慧人却使怒气转消。
Scorners set a city aflame, / But wise men turn away wrath.

智慧人与愚妄人相争，愚妄人或怒或笑，总不能止息。
If a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, / The fool is either angry or laughs, and there is no rest.

好流人血的，恨恶完全人，寻索正直人的性命。
The bloodthirsty hate one who is perfect, / And they seek the life of the upright.

愚昧人怒气全发，智慧人忍气含怒。
A fool utters all his anger, / But a wise man holds it back.

君王若听信虚假的话，他一切臣仆必都是奸恶的。
If a ruler pays attention to a false word, / All his servants are wicked.

贫穷人和欺压人的，在一件事上都一样，就是他们的眼目都蒙耶和华光照。
The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: / Jehovah gives light to the eyes of them both.

君王若凭真实判断穷人，他的国位必永远坚立。
If a king judges the poor in truth, / His throne will be established forever.

杖打和责备能赐智慧，放纵的孩子使他母亲羞愧。
The rod and reproof give wisdom, / But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

恶人加多，过犯也加多；义人必看见他们跌倒。
When the wicked increase, transgression increases; / But the righteous will see their fall.

管教你的儿子，他就使你得安息；他也必使你魂里喜悦。
Correct your son, and he will give you rest; / He will also give delight to your soul.

没有异象，民就放肆；惟遵守律法的，便为有福。
Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; / But happy is he who keeps the law.

只用言语，仆人不肯受管教；他虽然明白，也没有反应。
A servant will not be corrected by words alone; / For though he understands, there will be no response.

你见过言语急躁的人么？愚昧人比他更有指望。
Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? / There is more hope for a fool than for him.

人将仆人从幼娇养，这仆人终久必成了他的儿子。
He who delicately brings up his servant from a child / Will have him as a son in the end.

好生气的人挑启纷争，暴怒的人多有过犯。
An angry man stirs up contention, / And a furious man abounds in transgression.

人的骄傲必使他降卑，灵里谦卑的必得尊荣。
A man's pride will bring him low, / But he who is of a lowly spirit will obtain honor.

与盗贼均分的，是恨恶自己的性命；他听见叫人发誓作证的声音，却不言语。
Whoever is partner with a thief hates his own soul; / He hears the adjuration and utters nothing.

惧怕人的陷入网罗，惟有信靠耶和华的，必得高举。
The fear of man brings a snare, / But whoever puts his trust in Jehovah will be exalted.

多人寻求王的恩宠，惟有从耶和华，人才得公理。
Many seek the ruler's favor, / But justice for man comes from Jehovah.

不公正的人，为义人所憎嫌；行径正直的人，为恶人所憎恶。
An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, / And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked man.