A 14-year-old Vision of Heaven
1I’ve got to keep bragging. I know it won’t do any good, but I’m going to move on to tell you about some visions and revelations from the Lord. 2Fourteen years ago a man I know [1] who’s a follower of the Messiah was somehow transported all the way up to the third heaven. [2] I don’t know if this was an out-of-body experience. [3] Only God knows. 3As I said, I can’t tell you if this was an out-of-body experience or not. Only God knows.4Here’s what I can tell you. Somehow he was transported up into paradise. There, he heard words so sacred that humans aren’t allowed to speak them. 5I’m going to brag about this man. As for me, however, the only bragging I’m going to do is about my weakness. 6But even if I did brag about myself, there wouldn’t be anything wrong with it because I’d limit myself to the truth. I’m not going to brag, though. I don’t want people to give me credit for what I’ve done. I want them to give me credit for what they witness in the life I live and the words I speak.
Paul’s Mysterious Problem
7What was revealed to me is so extraordinary that I needed something to keep me humble. I was given a thorn in the side. [4] It’s like a demon [5] assigned to torture me, to keep me from getting too full of myself. 8I asked the Lord to free me from this problem. I pleaded with him three times. 9Each time he answered, “My kindness [6] is all you need. My power gets more done in weakness.” Since the Messiah’s power is working through me, I’m happy to brag about my weaknesses. 10I’m perfectly content with weaknesses, insults, tough times, persecution, or any other trouble I have to suffer because of the Messiah. Here’s why: when I’m weak, I’m strong.Paul’s Proof That He’s an Apostle
11Look at me. I’m acting like an idiot. But doggone if you didn’t drive me to it. You people ought to be singing my praises. I admit I’m little more than nothing. But there’s no way I’m something less than those “super apostles.” 12I proved I was a true apostle. You saw it in the signs, the wonders, and the miracles when I was with you.13Tell me, people, in what way did I treat you like a stepchild of a church, less important than the others? I admit that I didn’t accept any money from you because I didn’t want to become a burden. Forgive me for doing something as terrible as that. 14Listen to me. I’m ready to come and visit you for the third time. I’ll not be a financial burden. I don’t want what you have. I want you. Children don’t save money for their parents. Parents save money for their children. 15I’ll spend everything I have—myself included—for the sake of your souls. And I’ll be happy to do it.
Paul Says He’s Not a Con Artist
16So it’s established, we all know I wasn’t a burden to you. But I was a sneaky liar and a con man who won your confidence. 17No way. I did not take advantage of you, nor did any of the associates I sent. Right? 18I sent Titus to visit you. And I sent a believer with him. Titus didn’t take advantage of you, did he? Can’t you see the same spirit in both of us? Can’t you see that we both act in the same way?19Do you think we’ve been writing this so you can hear us defend ourselves? That’s not what’s going on. We’re speaking as followers of the Messiah, with God as our witness. Everything we’re doing, dear friends, is to strengthen your faith.
