2 Corinthians 12

1 To boast, really, is not profitable for me, for I will come to visions and revelations of the LORD.

To boast indeed does not become me: but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2 I have known a man in Christ, fourteen years ago—whether in the body I have not known, whether out of the body I have not known, God has known—such a one being snatched up to the third heaven;

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

3 and I have known such a man—whether in the body, whether out of the body, I have not known, God has known—

And I know such a man (whether then in the body, or out of the body,

4 that he was snatched up to the paradise, and heard unutterable sayings, that it is not possible for man to speak.

I know not, God knoweth) that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unutterable words, which it is not permitted unto man to speak.

5 Of such a one I will boast, and of myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses,

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

6 for if I may wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will say truth; but I refrain, lest in regard to me anyone may think anything above what he sees me, or hears anything of me;

For though I should incline to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I should speak truth. But I forbear least any one should think of me above what he seeth me to be, or heareth from me.

7 and that by the exceeding greatness of the revelations I might not be exalted too much, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, that he might batter me, that I might not be exalted too much.

And least I should be too much lifted up with the abundance of the revelations, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, least I should be too much elevated.

8 I called on the LORD three times concerning this thing, that it might depart from me,

For this I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 and He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness”; most gladly, therefore, will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of the Christ may rest on me:

And He said unto me, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is manifested in thy weakness." With the greatest pleasure therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 for this reason I am well pleased in weaknesses, in damages, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses—for Christ; for whenever I may be weak, then I am powerful;

And therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, and in straits for the sake of Christ: for when I am thus weak, then am I made strong.

11 I have become a fool—boasting; you compelled me; for I ought to have been commended by you, for I was behind the very chiefest apostles in nothing—even if I am nothing.

Am I become vain in boasting? ye have forced me to it: for I ought to have been recommended by you, as I have in nothing fallen short of the very chiefest of the apostles, though in myself I am nothing.

12 The signs, indeed, of the apostle were worked among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds,

The marks indeed of an apostle have been shewn among you with all patience, by signs, and wonders, and miracles.

13 for what is there in which you were inferior to the rest of the assemblies, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this injustice!

For what is it that ye were inferior in to the rest of the churches, unless it be that I myself was not burdensome to you?--- Forgive me this injury.

14 Behold, a third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you, 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,

Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not your substance, but your selves. For children are not expected to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

15 and I will most gladly spend and be entirely spent for your souls, even if, loving you more abundantly, I am loved less.

And I will with the greatest pleasure spend and be spent for your souls; even though the more I love you, the less I should be loved.

16 And be it [so], I did not burden you, but being crafty, I took you with guile;

Be it so, that I did not burden you myself, yet, may some say, being crafty I over-reached you by subtilty.

17 anyone of those whom I have sent to you—did I take advantage of you by him?

But did I make a gain of you by any of those whom I sent to you?

18 I begged Titus, and sent with [him] the brother; did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same Spirit? Did we not [walk] in the same steps?

I desired Titus to come to you, and with him I sent a brother: did Titus make a gain of you? did we not walk in the same spirit? did we not tread in the same steps?

19 Again, [do] you think that we are making defense to you? We speak before God in Christ; and all things, beloved, [are] for your up-building,

Do ye then think that we are making apologies to you? No, we speak before God in Christ: and all, my beloved, for your edification.

20 for I fear lest, having come, I may not find you such as I wish, and I may be found by you such as you do not wish, lest there be strifes, envyings, wraths, revelries, slanders, whisperings, puffings up, insurrections,

For I am afraid least when I come, I should not find you such as I could wish, and I should be found to you such as ye would not: least there should be contentions, emulations, animosities, strifes, thwartings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: and least,

21 lest again having come, my God may humble me in regard to you, and I may mourn many of those having sinned before, and having not changed their mind concerning the uncleanness, and whoredom, and licentiousness, that they practiced.

when I come again, my God should humble me among you, and I should be grieved for many of those who have sinned heretofore, and have not repented of the impurity, and fornication, and lewdness which they have practised.