11我成了「傻瓜」是被你們逼的！你們本該稱許我才對。我雖然算不了什麼，卻沒有一點比不上那些「超級使徒」。12我在你們中間百般地忍耐，用神蹟、奇事、異能證明自己是使徒。13你們什麼地方不及其他教會呢？我唯一「虧待」你們的地方就是沒有成為你們的負擔！希望各位原諒我的不公道！14如今我打算第三次到你們那裡。我不會拖累你們的，因為我想得到的是你們，而不是你們的財物。兒女不必為父母積財，父母理當為兒女積財。15為了你們的靈魂，我甘願付出，包括自己的生命。難道我越愛你們，就越得不到你們的愛嗎？16算了！我沒有拖累過你們，但居然有人說我狡猾，用詭計騙你們。17請問，在我派到你們那裡的人當中，我藉著誰佔過你們的便宜呢？18我懇求提多去你們那裡，並派弟兄與他同去。難道提多佔過你們的便宜嗎？我們行事為人豈不是心靈相通，步調一致嗎？19你們一直以為我們是替自己辯白，其實我們這番話是在基督裡、在上帝面前說的。親愛的弟兄姊妹，這一切都是為了造就你們。20因為我怕到你們那裡的時候，我對你們的期望會落空，而你們對我也大失所望。我怕你們當中有紛爭、嫉妒、惱怒、仇恨、毀謗、閒話、狂傲和混亂。21我怕再去你們那裡時，我的上帝會使我在你們面前感到羞愧，又怕看到許多從前犯罪、道德敗壞、淫亂放蕩的人仍然不肯悔改，便心裡悲傷。
English Standard Version
Paul’s Visions and His Thorn
1I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.3And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—4and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.5On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses—6though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me.7So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,* a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.8Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.10For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Concern for the Corinthian Church
11I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing.12The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.13For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!14Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.15I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?16But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit.17Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you?18I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?19Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved.20For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.21I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.
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