2 Corinthians 12

1 It is necessary to boast, though it is not profitable. But I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast; still, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.

2 I know a man in Messiah, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I do not know, or whether out of the body, I do not know; God knows), such a one was caught up into the third heaven.

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or outside of it, I do not know, God knows.

3 I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I do not know; God knows),

Yes, I know such a man—whether in the body or outside of it, I do not know, God knows—

4 how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a human to utter.

how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that a man is not permitted to tell.

5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.

I can boast about someone like that, but not about myself, unless it be my weakness.

6 For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, so that no one may think more of me than that which he sees in me, or hears from me.

Now even if I wanted to go on boasting, I would not be stupid but speak the truth; but I refrain, so that no one will think more of me than what he sees in me and hears from me.

7 And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, therefore, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to pound away at me, to keep me from exalting myself.

Because of the incredible importance of the revelations, to keep me from feeling too important, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to beat on me—to keep me from feeling too important.

8 Concerning this thing, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

9 He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Messiah may rest on me.

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more cheerfully about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may take up residence upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Messiah's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.

So then, I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

11 I have become foolish. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing.

I have been boasting foolishly, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, because in nothing have I been inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing.

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

Truly the apostolic signs were produced among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.

13 For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the churches, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong.

Now in just what were you treated as inferior, compared to the other congregations, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong.

14 Look, for the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not what is yours, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

Well now, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will still not burden you, because I want you, not your things—children should not have to save up for parents, but parents for children.

15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?

So I will gladly spend and be spent for the sake of your souls, even if the more I love you the less I am loved.

16 But be it so, I did not myself burden you. But, being crafty, I caught you with deception.

‘Ok, ok, I didn't burden you, but being crafty I took you by deception.’

17 Did I take advantage of you by anyone of them whom I have sent to you?

Come now, did I actually take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you?

18 I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Did not we walk in the same spirit? Did not we walk in the same steps?

I urged Titus and sent the brother along—did Titus take any advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit, in the same footprints?

19 Have you been thinking all this time that we have been defending ourselves before you? In the sight of God we speak in Messiah; and all things, beloved, are for your edifying.

Do you still think that we are defending ourselves to you? It is before God we speak, in Christ; but all of it, dear ones, is with a view to your edification.

20 For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you do not desire; that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, riots;

Yes, I am afraid that when I come I may not find you such as I wish, and you not find me such as you wish—may there be no strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, factions, slanders, gossipings, conceits, disorders—

21 that again when I come my God would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness and sexual immorality and lustfulness which they committed.

that when I come again my God may not humble me before you, and I will mourn for many who have previously sinned and not repented of the impurity and fornication and licentiousness which they practiced.