1This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord.
5That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses.
8Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.
11You have made me act like a fool. You ought to be writing commendations for me, for I am not at all inferior to these “super apostles,” even though I am nothing at all.
14Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I don’t want what you have—I want you. After all, children don’t provide for their parents. Rather, parents provide for their children.
16Some of you admit I was not a burden to you. But others still think I was sneaky and took advantage of you by trickery.
19Perhaps you think we’re saying these things just to defend ourselves. No, we tell you this as Christ’s servants, and with God as our witness. Everything we do, dear friends, is to strengthen you.