Corinthios Ii 12
1 Si gloriari oportet (non expedit quidem): veniam autem ad visiones, et revelationes Domini.
I am forced to boast, though it is unprofitable, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 Scio hominem in Christo ante annos quattuordecim, sive in corpore, sive extra corpus nescio, Deus scit, raptum huiusmodi usque ad tertium caelum.
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 Et scio huiusmodi hominem sive in corpore, sive extra corpus nescio, Deus scit:
And I know such a man (whether in the body or apart from the body I know not, God knows),
4 quoniam raptus est in Paradisum: et audivit arcana verba, quae non licet homini loqui.
who was caught up into Paradise, and heard unutterable words which no human being is permitted to utter.
5 Pro huiusmodi gloriabor: pro me autem nihil gloriabor nisi in infirmitatibus meis.
Of such a one I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast except in my weaknesses.
6 Nam, et si voluero gloriari, non ero insipiens: veritatem enim dicam: parco autem, ne quis me existimet supra id, quod videt in me, aut aliquid audit ex 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 Et ne magnitudo revelationum extollat me, datus est mihi stimulus carnis meae angelus Satanae, qui me colaphizet.
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 Propter quod ter Dominum rogavi ut discederet a me:
Concerning this, three times over I supplicated the Lord that it might leave me;
9 et dixit mihi: Sufficit tibi gratia mea: nam virtus in infirmitate perficitur. Libenter igitur gloriabor in infirmitatibus meis, ut inhabitet in me virtus Christi.
but he has answered me. "My grace is sufficient for you; it is in weakness that my power is perfected."
10 Propter quod placeo mihi in infirmitatibus meis, in contumeliis, in necessitatibus, in persecutionibus, in angustiis pro Christo: Cum enim infirmor, tunc potens sum.
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 Factus sum insipiens, vos me coegistis. Ego enim a vobis debui commendari: nihil enim minus feci ab iis, qui sunt supra modum Apostoli: tametsi nihil sum:
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 signa tamen Apostolatus mei facta sunt super vos in omni patientia, in signis, et prodigiis, et virtutibus.
In truth the signs of the true apostle were wrought among you in all patience by signs and marvels and powers.
13 Quid est enim, quod minus habuistis prae ceteris Ecclesiis, nisi quod ego ipse non gravavi vos? Donate mihi hanc iniuriam.
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 Ecce tertio hoc paratus sum venire ad vos: et non ero gravis vobis. Non enim quaero quae vestra sunt, sed vos. Nec enim debent filii parentibus thesaurizare, sed parentes filiis.
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 Ego autem libentissime impendam, et superimpendar ipse pro animabus vestris: licet plus vos diligens, minus diligar.
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 Sed esto: ego vos non gravavi: sed cum essem astutus, dolo vos cepi.
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 Numquid per aliquem eorum, quod misi ad vos, circumveni vos?
Did I make gain of you through any of those whom I sent to you?
18 Rogavi Titum, et misi cum illo fratrem. Numquid Titus vos circumvenit? nonne eodem spiritu ambulavimus? nonne iisdem vestigiis?
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 Olim putatis quod excusemus nos apud vos? Coram Deo in Christo loquimur: omnia autem charissimi propter aedificationem vestram.
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 Timeo enim ne forte cum venero, non quales volo, inveniam vos: et ego inveniar a vobis, qualem non vultis: ne forte contentiones, aemulationes, animositates, dissensiones, detractiones, susurrationes, inflationes, seditiones sint inter vos:
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 ne iterum cum venero, humiliet me Deus apud vos, et lugeam multos ex iis, qui ante peccaverunt, et non egerunt poenitentiam super immunditia, et fornicatione, et impudicitia, quam gesserunt.
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.
