2 Corinthians 12

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

I must boast! It is unprofitable; but I will pass to visions and revelations given by 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 union with Christ, who, fourteen years ago – whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows – was caught up (this man of whom I am speaking) 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 that this man – whether in the body or separated from the body I do not know; 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 up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable things of which no human being may tell.

5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.

About such a man I will boast, but about myself I will not boast except as regards 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.

Yet if I choose to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will be speaking no more than the truth. But I refrain, in case anyone should credit me with more than he can see in me or hear from me, and because of the marvellous character of the revelations.

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.

It was for this reason, and to prevent my thinking too highly of myself, that a thorn was sent to pierce my flesh – an instrument of Satan to discipline me – so that I should not think too highly of myself.

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

About this I three times entreated the Lord, praying 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 Messiah may rest on me.

But his reply has been – “My help is enough for you; for my strength attains its perfection in the midst of weakness.” Most gladly, then, will I boast all the more of my weaknesses, so that the strength of the Christ may overshadow 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.

That is why I delight in weakness, ill treatment, hardship, persecution, and difficulties, when borne for Christ. For, when I am weak, then it is that I am 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 emissaries, though I am nothing.

I have been ‘playing the fool!’ It is you who drove me to it. For it is you who ought to have been commending me! Although I am nobody, in no respect did I prove inferior to the most eminent apostles.

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

The marks of the true apostle were exhibited among you in constant endurance, as well as by signs, by marvels, and by miracles.

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!

In what respect, I ask, were you treated worse than the other churches, unless it was that, for my part, I refused to become a burden to you? Forgive me the wrong I did to you!

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.

Remember, this is the third time that I have made every preparation to come to see you, and I will refuse to be a burden to you; I want, not your money, but you. It is not the duty of children to put by for their parents, but of parents to put by for their children.

15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?

For my part, I will most gladly spend, and be spent, for your welfare. Can it be that the more intensely I love you the less I am to be loved?

16 Even so, I myself didn’t burden you. But you might say that being crafty, I caught you with deception.

You will admit that I was not a burden to you but you say that I was ‘crafty’ and caught you ‘by a trick’!

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

Do you assert that I took advantage of you through 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 urged Titus to go, and I sent another follower with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Didn’t we live in the same Spirit, and tread in the same footsteps?

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.

Have you all this time been fancying that it is to you that we are making our defence? No, it is in the sight of God, and in union with Christ, that we are speaking. And all this, dear friends, is to build up your characters;

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 am afraid that perhaps, when I come, I may find that you are not what I want you to be, and, on the other hand, that you may find that I am what you do not want me to be. I am afraid that I may find quarrelling, jealousy, ill feeling, rivalry, slandering, backbiting, self-assertion, and disorder.

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.

I am afraid that, on my next visit, my God may humble me in regard to you, and that I may have to mourn over many who have long been sinning, and have not repented of the impurity, immorality, and sensuality, in which they have indulged.