< 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.
我自夸固然无益,但我是不得已的。如今我要说到主的显现和启示。
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.
我认得一个在基督里的人,他前十四年被提到第三层天上去;(或在身内,我不知道;或在身外,我也不知道;只有 神知道。)
3 I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I do not know; God knows),
我认得这人;(或在身内,或在身外,我都不知道,只有 神知道。)
4 how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a human to utter.
他被提到乐园里,听见隐秘的言语,是人不可说的。
5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.
为这人,我要夸口;但是为我自己,除了我的软弱以外,我并不夸口。
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.
我就是愿意夸口也不算狂,因为我必说实话;只是我禁止不说,恐怕有人把我看高了,过于他在我身上所看见所听见的。
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.
又恐怕我因所得的启示甚大,就过于自高,所以有一根刺加在我肉体上,就是撒但的差役要攻击我,免得我过于自高。
8 Concerning this thing, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
为这事,我三次求过主,叫这刺离开我。
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.
他对我说:“我的恩典够你用的,因为我的能力是在人的软弱上显得完全。”所以,我更喜欢夸自己的软弱,好叫基督的能力覆庇我。
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.
我为基督的缘故,就以软弱、凌辱、急难、逼迫、困苦为可喜乐的;因我什么时候软弱,什么时候就刚强了。
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 emissaries, though I am nothing.
我成了愚妄人,是被你们强逼的。我本该被你们称许才是。我虽算不了什么,却没有一件事在那些最大的使徒以下。
12 Truly the signs of an emissary were worked among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty works.
我在你们中间,用百般的忍耐,借着神迹、奇事、异能显出使徒的凭据来。
13 For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the congregations, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong.
除了我不累着你们这一件事,你们还有什么事不及别的教会呢?这不公之处,求你们饶恕我吧。
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.
如今,我打算第三次到你们那里去,也必不累着你们;因我所求的是你们,不是你们的财物。儿女不该为父母积财,父母该为儿女积财。
15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?
我也甘心乐意为你们的灵魂费财费力。难道我越发爱你们,就越发少得你们的爱吗?
16 But be it so, I did not myself burden you. But, being crafty, I caught you with deception.
罢了,我自己并没有累着你们,你们却有人说,我是诡诈,用心计牢笼你们。
17 Did I take advantage of you by anyone of them whom I have sent to you?
我所差到你们那里去的人,我借着他们一个人占过你们的便宜吗?
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?
我劝了提多到你们那里去,又差那位兄弟与他同去。提多占过你们的便宜吗?我们行事,不同是一个心灵吗?不同是一个脚踪吗?
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.
你们到如今,还想我们是向你们分诉;我们本是在基督里当 神面前说话。亲爱的弟兄啊,一切的事都是为造就你们。
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;
我怕我再来的时候,见你们不合我所想望的,你们见我也不合你们所想望的;又怕有纷争、嫉妒、恼怒、结党、毁谤、谗言、狂傲、混乱的事。
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.
且怕我来的时候,我的 神叫我在你们面前惭愧,又因许多人从前犯罪,行污秽、奸淫、邪荡的事不肯悔改,我就忧愁。