2 Corinthians 12
1 It behooves me to glory, indeed it is not profitable, I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
I must boast! It is unprofitable; but I will pass to visions and revelations given by the Lord.
2 I knew a man in Christ, fourteen years ago, whether in the body, I know not; whether out of the body, I know not, such a one having been caught up even to the third heaven.
I know a man in union with Christ, who, fourteen years ago — whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows — was caught up (this man of whom I am speaking) to the third Heaven.
3 And I knew such a man, whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not; God knows,
And I know that this man — whether in the body or separated from the body I do not know; God knows —
4 that he was caught up to Paradise, and heard unutterable words, which it is impossible for a man to speak.
Was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable things of which no human being may tell.
5 Concerning such a one I will glory: but concerning myself I will not glory, except in my infirmities.
About such a man I will boast, but about myself I will not boast except as regards my weaknesses.
6 For if I shall wish to glory, I will not be a fool; for I speak the truth: but I fear, lest some one may consider with reference to me above what he sees me, or hears from me.
Yet if I choose to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I shall be speaking no more than the truth. But I refrain, lest any one should credit me with more than he can see in me or hear from me, and because of the marvellous character of the revelations.
7 And that I may not be exalted by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given unto me in the flesh, the messenger of Satan that he may buffet me, in order that I may not be exalted.
It was for this reason, and to prevent my thinking too highly of myself, that a thorn was sent to pierce my flesh — an instrument of Satan to discipline me — so that I should not think too highly of myself.
8 Three times I called on the Lord concerning this, that it may depart from me.
About this I three times entreated the Lord, praying that it might leave me.
9 And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most delightfully I will glory the more in my infirmities, in order that the power of Christ may abide on me.
But his reply has been — ‘My help is enough for you; for my strength attains its perfection in the midst of weakness.’ Most gladly, then, will I boast all the more of my weaknesses, so that the strength of the Christ may overshadow me.
10 Therefore I delight in infirmities, in insults, in difficulties, in persecutions, and in tight places, for Christ's sake: for when I am without strength, then I am dynamite.
That is why I delight in weakness, ill-treatment, hardship, persecution, and difficulties, when borne for Christ. For, when I am weak, then it is that I am strong!
11 I have become a fool: you did compel me. For I ought to be commended by you: for I am not inferior to the very chief of the apostles, if indeed I am nothing.
I have been “playing the fool!” It is you who drove me to it. For it is you who ought to have been commending me! Although I am nobody, in no respect did I prove inferior to the most eminent Apostles.
12 For indeed the signs of the apostleship are wrought in me in all patience, in miracles and in wonders and in dynamites.
The marks of the true Apostle were exhibited among you in constant endurance, as well as by signs, by marvels, and by miracles.
13 For what is that in which you are inferior to other churches, except that I did not burden you? forgive me this wrong.
In what respect, I ask, were you treated worse than the other Churches, unless it was that, for my part, I refused to become a burden to you? Forgive me the wrong I thus did you!
14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not spare: for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up treasures for the parents, but the parents for the children,
Remember, this is the third time that I have made every preparation to come to see you, and I shall refuse to be a burden to you; I want, not your money, but you. It is not the duty of children to put by for their parents, but of parents to put by for their children.
15 But I will most delightfully spend and be spent for your souls. If the more abundantly I love you am I loved the less?
For my part, I will most gladly spend, and be spent, for your welfare. Can it be that the more intensely I love you the less I am to be loved?
16 But let it he so, I did not burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
You will admit that I was not a burden to you but you say that I was “crafty” and caught you “by a trick”!
17 Which one of those whom I sent unto you, did I fleece you through him?
Do you assert that I took advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you?
18 I called Titus, and sent the brother along with him: whether did Titus defraud you? did we not walk by the same Spirit? did we not in the same tracks?
I urged Titus to go, and I sent our Brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Did not we live in the same Spirit, and tread in the same footsteps?
19 For a long time you were thinking that I am apologizing to you. We speak before God in Christ; but all things, beloved, are for your edification.
Have you all this time been fancying that it is to you that we are making our defence? No, it is in the sight of God, and in union with Christ, that we are speaking. And all this, dear friends, is to build up your characters;
20 For I fear lest, having come, I may not find you as I wish, and may not be found by you as you wish; lest perhaps strife, jealousy, animosities, selfseekings, calumniations, eavesdroppings, inflations, outfallings, are among you;
for I am afraid that perhaps, when I come, I may find that you are not what I want you to be, and, on the other hand, that you may find that I am what you do not want me to be. I am afraid that I may find quarrelling, jealousy, ill-feeling, rivalry, slandering, back-biting, self-assertion, and disorder.
21 lest, I again having come, my God will humble me before you, and I will mourn over many of those having previously committed sins, and not having repented over the uncleanness and the fornication and debauchery which they have done.
I am afraid lest, on my next visit, my God may humble me in regard to you, and that I may have to mourn over many who have long been sinning, and have not repented of the impurity, immorality, and sensuality, in which they have indulged.
