< 2 Corinthians 12 >

1 I suppose I have to boast, even though it doesn't really help. Let me go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.
Well, it is not of profit to me to boast, for I will come to visions and revelations of [the] Lord.
2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was taken up to the third heaven (whether physically in the body, or out of it, I don't know, but God knows).
I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago, (whether in [the] body I know not, or out of the body I know not, God knows; ) such [a one] caught up to [the] third heaven.
3 I know that this man (whether taken up physically in the body, or apart from it, I don't know, but God knows),
And I know such a man, (whether in [the] body or out of the body I know not, God knows; )
4 how he was taken up into Paradise, and heard things too wonderful to be spoken, in words so sacred that no human being is allowed to say.
that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable things said which it is not allowed to man to utter.
5 Something like that I'll boast about, but I won't boast about myself, except for my weaknesses.
Of such [a one] I will boast, but of myself I will not boast, unless in my weaknesses.
6 I wouldn't be foolish if I wanted to boast, because I'd be telling the truth. But I won't boast, so that nobody will think more of me than what they see me doing or hear me saying.
For if I shall desire to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I will say [the] truth; but I forbear, lest any one should think as to me above what he sees me [to be], or whatever he may hear of me.
7 Also, because these revelations were so amazingly great, and so that I wouldn't become proud, I was given a “thorn in my flesh”—a messenger from Satan to hurt me so that I wouldn't become proud.
And that I might not be exalted by the exceeding greatness of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn for the flesh, a messenger of Satan that he might buffet me, that I might not be exalted.
8 I pleaded with the Lord three times to get rid of this problem.
For this I thrice besought the Lord that it might depart from me.
9 But he told me, “My grace is all you will need, for my power is effective in weakness.” That's why I happily boast about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may reside in me.
And he said to me, My grace suffices thee; for [my] power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of the Christ may dwell upon me.
10 So I appreciate weaknesses, insults, troubles, persecutions, and difficulties that I suffer for Christ's sake. For when I'm weak, then I'm strong!
Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in straits, for Christ: for when I am weak, then I am powerful.
11 I'm talking like a fool, but you made me do it! You should really have been speaking well of me, for in no way am I inferior to the super-apostles, even though I don't count for anything.
I have become a fool; ye have compelled me; for I ought to have been commended by you; for I have been nothing behind those who were in surpassing degree apostles, if also I am nothing.
12 Yet the marks of an apostle were patiently demonstrated among you—signs, wonders, and powerful miracles.
The signs indeed of the apostle were wrought among you in all endurance, signs, and wonders, and works of power.
13 In what way were you inferior to the other churches except I wasn't any burden to you? Please forgive me for doing you wrong!
For in what is it that ye have been inferior to the other assemblies, unless that I myself have not been in laziness a charge upon you? Forgive me this injury.
14 Now I'm preparing to visit you for the third time, and I won't be a burden to you. I don't want what you have, I want you yourselves! After all, children shouldn't save up for their parents, but parents should for their children.
Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be in laziness a charge; for I do not seek yours, but you; for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
15 I will happily spend myself, and be spent, for you. If I love you so much more, will you love me even less?
Now I shall most gladly spend and be utterly spent for your souls, if even in abundantly loving you I should be less loved.
16 Well, even if that's so, I wasn't a burden to you. Maybe I was being devious, and tricked you with my cunning ways!
But be it so. I did not burden you, but being crafty I took you by guile.
17 But did I take advantage of you by anyone I've sent to you?
Did I make gain of you by any of those whom I have sent to you?
18 I urged Titus to go and see you, and I sent another brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? No, we both have the same spirit and use the same methods.
I begged Titus, and sent the brother with [him]: did Titus at all make gain of you? have we not walked in the same spirit? [have we] not in the same steps?
19 Maybe you're thinking that all along we've been just trying to defend ourselves. No, we speak for Christ before God. Everything we do, friends, is for your benefit.
Ye have long been supposing that we excuse ourselves to you: we speak before God in Christ; and all things, beloved, for your building up.
20 I do worry when I visit that somehow I won't find you as I would want to, and that you won't find me as you would want to! I'm afraid that there will be arguments, jealousy, anger, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.
For I fear lest perhaps coming I find you not such as I wish, and that I be found by you such as ye do not wish: lest [there might be] strifes, jealousies, angers, contentions, evil speakings, whisperings, puffings up, disturbances;
21 I'm afraid that when I visit, my God will humble me in your presence, and that I will be weeping over many of those who have sinned previously, and who still have not repented of impurity, sexual immorality, and indecent acts that they committed.
lest my God should humble me as to you when I come again, and that I shall grieve over many of those who have sinned before, and have not repented as to the uncleanness and fornication and licentiousness which they have practised.

< 2 Corinthians 12 >