2 Corinthians 12

1 If I must glory (it is not expedient indeed), but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

To boast is not suitable for me; I will come to visions and revelations from the Lord.

2 I know a man in Christ above fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not, or out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up to the third heaven.

I knew a man in Christ fourteen years ago; that such a one (whether in the body, I know not, or out of the body, I know not: God knows; ) was caught away to the third heaven.

3 And I know such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not: God knoweth),

I also know that such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not: God knows, )

4 That he was caught up into paradise, and heard secret words, which it is not granted to man to utter.

was caught away to Paradise, and heard words not to be spoken, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

5 For such an one I will glory; but for myself I will glory nothing, but in my infirmities.

Of such a one I will boast; but of myself I will not boast, unless in my infirmities.

6 For though I should have a mind to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I will say the truth. But I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth in me, or any thing he heareth from me.

For though I should choose to boast, I would not be void of understanding: for I will speak the truth. But I forbear, lest any one should think of me more than what he sees me to be, or what he hears of me.

7 And lest the greatness of the revelations should exalt me, there was given me a sting of my flesh, an angel of Satan, to buffet me.

And, lest I should be too much exalted by the excellence of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I might not be too much exalted.

8 For which thing thrice I besought the Lord, that it might depart from me.

With regard to this, I three times entreated the Lord that it might leave me;

9 And he said to me: My grace is sufficient for thee; for power is made perfect in infirmity. Gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

and he said to me: My grace is sufficient for you; for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I boast in my infirmities, that the power of the Christ may abide upon me.

10 For which cause I please myself in my infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ. For when I am weak, then am I powerful.

For this reason, I take pleasure in infirmities, in outrages, in necessities, in persecutions, in straits, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.

11 I am become foolish: you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you: for I have no way come short of them that are above measure apostles, although I be nothing.

I have become of no understanding; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you: I am in no respect inferior to the very greatest of the apostles, although I am nothing.

12 Yet the signs of my apostleship have been wrought on you, in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

Truly, the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.

13 For what is there that you have had less than the other churches, but that I myself was not burthensome to you? Pardon me this injury.

For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, unless in this―that I did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong.

14 Behold now the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burthensome unto you. For I seek not the things that are yours, but you. For neither ought the children to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

Behold, I am ready the third time to come to you, and I will not burden you: for I seek not yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up treasure for the parents, but the parents for the children.

15 But I most gladly will spend and be spent myself for your souls; although loving you more, I be loved less.

I, indeed, will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

16 But be it so: I did not burthen you: but being crafty, I caught you by guile.

Be it so, indeed; I did not burden you; but being crafty, I caught you by deceit.

17 Did I overreach you by any of them whom I sent to you?

Did I overreach you by any of those whom I sent to you?

18 I desired Titus, and I sent with him a brother. Did Titus overreach you? Did we not walk with the same spirit? did we not in the same steps?

I exhorted Titus, and with him sent the brother. Did Titus overreach you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?

19 Of old, think you that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ; but all things, my dearly beloved, for your edification.

Do you think again that we offer you a defense of ourselves? We speak all these things before God in Christ, beloved, for your edification.

20 For I fear lest perhaps when I come I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found by you such as you would not. Lest perhaps contentions, envyings, animosities, dissensions, detractions, whisperings, swellings, seditions, be among you.

For I fear, lest when I come I shall find you not, such as I wish, and I shall be found by you not such as you wish: lest there shall be contentions, envies, excitements, strife, evil speaking, whisperings, party spirit, disorderly conduct:

21 Lest again, when I come, God humble me among you: and I mourn many of them that sinned before, and have not done penance for the uncleanness, and fornication, and lasciviousness, that they have committed.

lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn over many of those who have already sinned, and have not repented of the uncleanness and lewdness and wantonness which they have committed.