1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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),
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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!
14. 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.
15. 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?
16. 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.
17. 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?
18. 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?
19. 你们一向以为我们是向你们分诉，我们乃是在基督里当着神面前说话。亲爱的，一切的事都是为建造你们。 All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Before God in Christ we speak; but all things, beloved, are for your building up.
20. 我怕我来的时候，或许见到你们不合我所想要的，你们见到我也不合你们所想要的；又怕有争竞、嫉妒、恼怒、私图好争、诽谤、谗言、自高自大、 混乱的事； For I fear that perhaps when I come, I may find you not such as I wish, and I may be found by you not such as you wish; that perhaps there may be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, slanders, whisperings, demonstrations of being puffed up, tumults;
21. 且怕我再来的时候，我的神在你们面前卑屈我，我还要为那许多从前犯罪，还没有悔改他们所行污秽淫乱邪荡之事的人哀恸。 That when I come again my God may humble me before you and I may mourn over many who have sinned before and who have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and licentiousness which they have practiced.