To boast is  ¹necessary, though indeed not expedient; yet I will  ²come to  ³visions and revelations of the Lord.

I know a  ¹man 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  ²caught away  ³to the  ⁴third heaven.

 ¹And I know such a man (whether in the body or  ²outside the body, I do not know; God knows),

That he was caught away into  ¹Paradise and heard unspeakable words, which it is not allowed for a man to speak.

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

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.

And because of the  ¹transcendence of the revelations, in order that I might not be exceedingly lifted up, there was given to me a  ²thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, that he might  ³buffet me, in order that I might not be exceedingly lifted up.

Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

And He has said to me, My  ¹grace is sufficient for you, for My  ²power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly therefore I will rather boast in my weaknesses that the power of Christ might  ³tabernacle over me.

Therefore I am  ¹well pleased in weaknesses, in  ²insults, in  ³necessities, in persecutions and  ⁴distresses, on behalf of Christ; for when I am  ⁵weak, then I am powerful.

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  ¹super-apostles, even though I am nothing.

Indeed the  ¹signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all endurance by  ²signs and  ³wonders and  ⁴works of power.

For what is there in which you were  ¹treated in a manner inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself was not a burden to you?  ²Graciously forgive me this injustice!

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.

But I, I will most gladly  ¹spend and  ²be utterly spent on behalf of your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved less?

But  ¹let it be so! I did not burden you; but, as some of you say, being  ²crafty, I took you by guile.

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

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  ¹spirit? In the same steps?

He who hardens his neck after being often reproved
Will suddenly be broken beyond remedy.

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.

Whoever loves wisdom makes his father glad,
But he who keeps company with harlots wastes his substance.

The king by justice establishes the land,
But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.

A man who flatters his neighbor
Spreads a net for his steps.

In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare,
But the righteous man sings and rejoices.

The righteous man knows the rights of the poor;
The wicked man has no understanding of such knowledge.

Scorners set a city aflame,
But wise men turn away wrath.

If a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man,
The fool is either angry or laughs, and there is no rest.

The bloodthirsty hate one who is perfect,
And they seek the life of the upright.

A fool utters all his anger,
But a wise man holds it back.

If a ruler pays attention to a false word,
All his servants are wicked.

The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
Jehovah gives light to the eyes of them both.

If a king judges the poor in truth,
His throne will be established forever.

The rod and reproof give wisdom,
But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

When the wicked increase, transgression increases;
But the righteous will see their fall.

Correct your son, and he will give you rest;
He will also give delight to your soul.

Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint;
But happy is he who keeps the law.

A servant will not be corrected by words alone;
For though he understands, there will be no response.

Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

He who delicately brings up his servant from a child
Will have him as a son in the end.

An angry man stirs up contention,
And a furious man abounds in transgression.

A man's pride will bring him low,
But he who is of a lowly spirit will obtain honor.

Whoever is partner with a thief hates his own soul;
He hears the adjuration and utters nothing.

The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever puts his trust in Jehovah will be  ¹exalted.

Many seek the ruler's favor,
But justice for man comes from Jehovah.

An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked man.