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.
I might boast, but it is not expedient; for I 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 knew a man in the Meshiha fourteen years ago, -whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not, Aloha himself knoweth, -who, this one himself, was rapt unto the third of 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 this man himself, -but whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not, Aloha himself knoweth,
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.
-and he was rapt into paradise, and heard words which are not uttered, those which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
5 Something like that I'll boast about, but I won't boast about myself, except for my weaknesses.
Of this I boast; but of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities.
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.
Yet if I willed to boast, I should not be a fool, for I say the truth; but I spare, lest any one think of me beyond that which he seeth me (to be), and what he heareth 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 abundance of revelations, there was delivered to me a stimulus of my flesh, an angel of Satana to buffet me, that I might not be exalted.
8 I pleaded with the Lord three times to get rid of this problem.
Concerning this three times I entreated of my Lord that it might be removed 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 sufficeth thee; for my power in weakness is perfected. Gladly therefore will I boast in my infirmities, that the power of the Meshiha may overshadow 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!
For this cause I am willing in infirmities, in reviling, in affliction, in persecutions, in distresses, for the sake of the Meshiha; for when I am weak, then am I strong.
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.
Behold, I have been deficient in mind in my boasting, because you have constrained me; for you were debtors to bear witness concerning me; because in nothing am I less than those apostles who are the most eminent, nevertheless I am not any thing.
12 Yet the marks of an apostle were patiently demonstrated among you—signs, wonders, and powerful miracles.
The signs of the apostles I have wrought among you in all patience, and with mighty acts and miracles and with powers.
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 have you been less than the other churches, except in this, that I have not burdened you? Forgive me this offence.
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 is three times that I prepare to come to you, and not to burden you; for I seek not yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up treasures for the parents, but the parents for their 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?
But I gladly the expenses will spend, and also myself will I give for the sake of your souls: though, while the more I love you, you the less love me.
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!
And, perhaps, (though) I did not burden you, yet (it may be said), as a crafty man with deceit I have robbed you.
17 But did I take advantage of you by anyone I've sent to you?
By any other whom I have sent to you have I made prey of 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.
Of Titos I requested, and sent with him the brethren. In any thing has Titos made prey of you? Have we not walked in one spirit, and 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.
DO you again consider that we apologize to you? Before Aloha in the Meshiha do we speak; and all, my beloved, for the sake of your up-building.
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, when I come to you, I should not find you as I wish, but should find you what you would not wish: lest there be contention and envy, and wrath and angry talk, and accusations and murmurings, and pompousness and agitation:
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.
and lest, when I come to you, my God may humiliate me, and I may have to lament over many who have sinned, and have not repented of the uncleanness and of the fornication and of the lasciviousness which they have committed.
