6. If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message,
7. even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
8. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.
9. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
10. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
11. You 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.
12. When I was with you, I certainly gave you proof that I am an apostle. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you.
13. The only thing I failed to do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a financial burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong!
14. Now 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.
15. I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me.
16. Some of you admit I was not a burden to you. But others still think I was sneaky and took advantage of you by trickery.
17. But how? Did any of the men I sent to you take advantage of you?