< 2 Corinthians 12 >

1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast, but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
Well, it is not of profit to me to boast, for I will come to visions and revelations of [the] Lord.
2 I know a man in Messiah who was caught up into the third heaven fourteen years ago—whether in the body, I don’t know, or whether out of the body, I don’t know; God knows.
I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago, (whether in [the] body I know not, or out of the body I know not, God knows; ) such [a one] caught up to [the] third heaven.
3 I know such a man (whether in the body, or outside of the body, I don’t know; God knows),
And I know such a man, (whether in [the] body or out of the body I know not, God knows; )
4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable things said which it is not allowed to man to utter.
5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf 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 weaknesses.
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 man may think more of me than that which he sees in me or hears from me.
For if I shall desire to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I will say [the] truth; but I forbear, lest any one should think as to me above what he sees me [to be], or whatever he may hear of me.
7 By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, a thorn in the flesh was given to me: a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively.
And that I might not be exalted by the exceeding greatness of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn for the flesh, a messenger of Satan that he might buffet me, that I might not be exalted.
8 Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
For this I thrice besought the Lord that it might depart from me.
9 He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my 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.
And he said to me, My grace suffices thee; for [my] power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of the Christ may dwell upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses, for Messiah’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.
Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in straits, for Christ: for when I am weak, then I am powerful.
11 I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for I am in no way inferior to the very best emissaries, though I am nothing.
I have become a fool; ye have compelled me; for I ought to have been commended by you; for I have been nothing behind those who were in surpassing degree apostles, if also I am nothing.
12 Truly the signs of an emissary were worked among you in all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty works.
The signs indeed of the apostle were wrought among you in all endurance, signs, and wonders, and works of power.
13 For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
For in what is it that ye have been inferior to the other assemblies, unless that I myself have not been in laziness a charge upon you? Forgive me this injury.
14 Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be in laziness a charge; 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.
15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?
Now I shall most gladly spend and be utterly spent for your souls, if even in abundantly loving you I should be less loved.
16 Even so, I myself didn’t burden you. But you might say that being crafty, I caught you with deception.
But be it so. I did not burden you, but being crafty I took you by guile.
17 Did I take advantage of you by anyone of those whom I have sent to you?
Did I make gain of you by any of those whom I have sent to you?
18 I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Didn’t we walk in the same spirit? Didn’t we walk in the same steps?
I begged Titus, and sent the brother with [him]: did Titus at all make gain of you? have we not walked in the same spirit? [have we] not in the same steps?
19 Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of God we speak in Messiah. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.
Ye have long been supposing that we excuse ourselves to you: we speak before God in Christ; and all things, beloved, for your building up.
20 For I am afraid that perhaps when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don’t desire, that perhaps there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, or riots,
For I fear lest perhaps coming I find you not such as I wish, and that I be found by you such as ye do not wish: lest [there might be] strifes, jealousies, angers, contentions, evil speakings, whisperings, puffings up, disturbances;
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, sexual immorality, and lustfulness which they committed.
lest my God should humble me as to you when I come again, and that I shall grieve over many of those who have sinned before, and have not repented as to the uncleanness and fornication and licentiousness which they have practised.

< 2 Corinthians 12 >