2 Corinthians 12

1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast, but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

To boast is not suitable for me; I will come to visions and revelations from the Lord.

2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven fourteen years ago—whether in the body, I do not know, or whether out of the body, I do not know; God knows.

I knew a man in Christ fourteen years ago; that such a one (whether in the body, I know not, or out of the body, I know not: God knows; ) was caught away to the third heaven.

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

I also know that 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.

was caught away to Paradise, and heard words not to be spoken, which it is not lawful for a 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 infirmities.

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 though I should choose to boast, I would not be void of understanding: for I will speak the truth. But I forbear, lest any one should think of me more than what he sees me to be, or what he hears 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, lest I should be too much exalted by the excellence of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I might not be too much exalted.

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

With regard to this, I three times entreated the Lord that it might leave 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 Christ may rest on me.

and he said to me: My grace is sufficient for you; for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I boast in my infirmities, that the power of the Christ may abide upon me.

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

For this reason, I take pleasure in infirmities, in outrages, in necessities, in persecutions, in straits, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.

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 apostles, though I am nothing.

I have become of no understanding; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you: I am in no respect inferior to the very greatest of the apostles, although I am nothing.

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

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

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 what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, unless in this―that I did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong.

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, I am ready the third time to come to you, and I will not burden you: for I seek not yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up treasure 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?

I, indeed, will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

16 Even so, I myself did not burden you. But you might say that being crafty, I caught you with deception.

Be it so, indeed; I did not burden you; but being crafty, I caught you by deceit.

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

Did I overreach 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 exhorted Titus, and with him sent the brother. Did Titus overreach you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?

19 Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.

Do you think again that we offer you a defense of ourselves? We speak all these things before God in Christ, beloved, for your edification.

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 do not desire, that perhaps there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, or riots,

For I fear, lest when I come I shall find you not, such as I wish, and I shall be found by you not such as you wish: lest there shall be contentions, envies, excitements, strife, evil speaking, whisperings, party spirit, disorderly conduct:

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, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn over many of those who have already sinned, and have not repented of the uncleanness and lewdness and wantonness which they have committed.