2 Corinthians 12
1 If I must glory (it is not expedient indeed), but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
To boast, really, is not profitable for me, for I will come to visions and revelations of the LORD.
2 I know a man in Christ above fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not, or out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up to the third heaven.
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 has known—such a one being snatched up to the third heaven;
3 And I know such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not: God knoweth),
and I have known such a man—whether in the body, whether out of the body, I have not known, God has known—
4 That he was caught up into paradise, and heard secret words, which it is not granted to man to utter.
that he was snatched up to the paradise, and heard unutterable sayings, that it is not possible for man to speak.
5 For such an one I will glory; but for myself I will glory nothing, but in my infirmities.
Of such a one I will boast, and of myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses,
6 For though I should have a mind to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I will say the truth. But I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth in me, or any thing he heareth from me.
for if I may wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will say truth; but I refrain, lest in regard to me anyone may think anything above what he sees me, or hears anything of me;
7 And lest the greatness of the revelations should exalt me, there was given me a sting of my flesh, an angel of Satan, to buffet me.
and that by the exceeding greatness of the revelations I might not be exalted too much, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, that he might batter me, that I might not be exalted too much.
8 For which thing thrice I besought the Lord, that it might depart from me.
I called on the LORD three times concerning this thing, that it might depart from me,
9 And he said to me: My grace is sufficient for thee; for power is made perfect in infirmity. Gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
and He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness”; most gladly, therefore, will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of the Christ may rest on me:
10 For which cause I please myself in my infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ. For when I am weak, then am I powerful.
for this reason I am well pleased in weaknesses, in damages, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses—for Christ; for whenever I may be weak, then I am powerful;
11 I am become foolish: you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you: for I have no way come short of them that are above measure apostles, although I be nothing.
I have become a fool—boasting; you compelled me; for I ought to have been commended by you, for I was behind the very chiefest apostles in nothing—even if I am nothing.
12 Yet the signs of my apostleship have been wrought on you, in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
The signs, indeed, of the apostle were worked among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds,
13 For what is there that you have had less than the other churches, but that I myself was not burthensome to you? Pardon me this injury.
for what is there in which you were inferior to the rest of the assemblies, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this injustice!
14 Behold now the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burthensome unto you. For I seek not the things that are yours, but you. For neither ought the children to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
Behold, a third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you, 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 But I most gladly will spend and be spent myself for your souls; although loving you more, I be loved less.
and I will most gladly spend and be entirely spent for your souls, even if, loving you more abundantly, I am loved less.
16 But be it so: I did not burthen you: but being crafty, I caught you by guile.
And be it [so], I did not burden you, but being crafty, I took you with guile;
17 Did I overreach you by any of them whom I sent to you?
anyone of those whom I have sent to you—did I take advantage of you by him?
18 I desired Titus, and I sent with him a brother. Did Titus overreach you? Did we not walk with the same spirit? did we not in the same steps?
I begged Titus, and sent with [him] the brother; did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same Spirit? Did we not [walk] in the same steps?
19 Of old, think you that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ; but all things, my dearly beloved, for your edification.
Again, [do] you think that we are making defense to you? We speak before God in Christ; and all things, beloved, [are] for your up-building,
20 For I fear lest perhaps when I come I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found by you such as you would not. Lest perhaps contentions, envyings, animosities, dissensions, detractions, whisperings, swellings, seditions, be among you.
for I fear lest, having come, I may not find you such as I wish, and I may be found by you such as you do not wish, lest there be strifes, envyings, wraths, revelries, slanders, whisperings, puffings up, insurrections,
21 Lest again, when I come, God humble me among you: and I mourn many of them that sinned before, and have not done penance for the uncleanness, and fornication, and lasciviousness, that they have committed.
lest again having come, my God may humble me in regard to you, and I may mourn many of those having sinned before, and having not changed their mind concerning the uncleanness, and whoredom, and licentiousness, that they practiced.
