2 Corinthians 12

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

I am forced to boast, though it is unprofitable, but I will go on 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 hath known — such an one being caught away unto the third heaven;

I know a Christian man who, fourteen years ago (whether in the body I know not, or out of the body, I know not. God knows), was caught up- -this man of whom I speak - even into 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 hath known, —

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

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

who was caught up into Paradise, and heard unutterable words which no human being is permitted to utter.

5 Of such an one I will boast, and of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities,

Of such a one I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast except in my weaknesses.

6 for if I may wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for truth I will say; but I forebear, lest any one in regard to me may think anything above what he doth see me, or doth hear anything of me;

If I should choose to continue boasting I should not be foolish, for I should be speaking the truth. But I refrain, lest by the stupendous grandeur of the revelation any one should estimate me beyond what he sees in me, or hears from me.

7 and that by the exceeding greatness of the revelations I might not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of the Adversary, that he might buffet me, that I might not be exalted overmuch.

It was for this reason, lest I should be over-elated, that there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to buffet me, lest I should be over-elated.

8 Concerning this thing thrice the Lord did I call upon, that it might depart from me,

Concerning this, three times over I supplicated the Lord that it might leave me;

9 and He said to me, 'Sufficient for thee is My grace, for My power in infirmity is perfected;' most gladly, therefore, will I rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of the Christ may rest on me:

but he has answered me. "My grace is sufficient for you; it is in weakness that my power is perfected."

10 wherefore I am well pleased in infirmities, in damages, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses — for Christ; for whenever I am infirm, then I am powerful;

Most gladly therefore will I boast rather of my weakness, that over me like a tent may be pitched the power of Christ. That is why I rejoice in weakness, in ill-treatment, in troubles, in persecutions and calamities for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.

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

I am become a fool - you have forced me to; for you yourselves ought to have been my vindicators. In no respect am I inferior to these superapostolic apostles, even though I am nothing.

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

In truth the signs of the true apostle were wrought among you in all patience by signs and marvels and powers.

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

In what respect, then, were you inferior to the other churches, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

14 Lo, a third time I am ready to come unto you, and I will not be a burden to you, for I seek not yours, but you, for the children ought not for the parents to lay up, but the parents for the children,

And now for the third time I am preparing to visit you. I will not be a burden to you, for I am not seeking yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

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

For my part, I will most gladly spend, yea, and will myself be spent, for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I to be loved the less?

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

But though it be granted that I was not a burden to you, yet, you say, this was my cunning with which I caught you by a trick.

17 any one of those whom I have sent unto you — by him did I take advantage of you?

Did I make gain of you through any of those whom I sent to you?

18 I entreated Titus, and did send with [him] the brother; did Titus take advantage of you? in the same spirit did we not walk? — did we not in the same steps?

I urged Titus to go, and with him I sent our brother. Did Titus make gain of you? And did I not walk in the same spirit as he did? Did I not take the very same steps?

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

Do you think that all this time I am defending myself to you? It is before the presence of God that I am speaking in Christ; and all, beloved, for your upbuilding.

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

For I dread that perhaps, when I come, I may not find you to be such as I wish, and that I may be found by you such as you do not wish; I dread lest there should be quarrels, jealousy, tempers, party spirit, slandering, gossip, arrogance, tumults;

21 lest again having come, my God may humble me in regard to you, and I may bewail many of those having sinned before, and not having reformed concerning the uncleanness, and whoredom, and lasciviousness, that they did practise.

and lest when I come again my God may humble me before you, and lest I shall mourn for many those who have sinned before, and have not repented of the impurity and immorality and wantonness which they have practised.