2 Corinthians Chapter 12
1 It is surely not beneficial for me to boast⁺. Instead, I will come to the visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 About fourteen years ago, I knew a man in Christ who had been caught up to the third heaven. I do not know whether this was in the body or out of the body. Only God knows that.
3 But I did know such a man. Again, whether this was in body or out of body, I do not know. God knows.
4 He was caught up into paradise and heard indescribable⁺ words that are not lawful for a man to utter.
5 Of such a one I will boastfully⁺ rejoice. Yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities~.
6 For though I would desire to boast⁺, I shall not be a fool. But I will speak the truth. But now I hesitate⁺, lest anyone should think more⁺ of me than what is seen or heard from me.
7 Lest I be exalted above measure through the abundance of revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
8 Three times, I begged⁺ the Lord that this might depart from me.
9 He said to me: My grace is sufficient for you. For my strength is made perfect~ in weakness. Therefore I will most gladly rejoice⁺ in my infirmities~ so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities~, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake, for when I am weak, then am I strong.
11 I am made⁺ a fool by my boasting⁺. You have compelled me. I ought to have been commended by you. For I am not lacking behind the very chief apostles, even though I am nothing.
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were produced⁺ among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
13 For what is it in which you were inferior to other assemblies⁺, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me for this wrong.
14 Behold now for the third time I am ready to come to you. I will not be a burden to you. For I do not seek what is yours, but you. For children should not need to lay up reserves for parents, but parents for the children.
15 I will very gladly spend and be spent for you. Though the more abundantly I love you, the less I seem to be loved.
16 But so be it. I did not burden you. However being crafty, guile~ caught you.
17 Did I make a gain from you by any of those I sent to you?
18 I encouraged⁺ Titus and sent a brother with him. Did Titus make a gain from you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?
19 Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ, but we do all things, beloved, for your edification.
20 For I fear lest when I come, that I will not find you as I wish⁺ you would be, and that I will be found by you as you would not wish, lest there be debates~, envyings~, wraths~, strifes~, backbitings~, whisperings~, swellings~, tumults~;
21 and lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn⁺ for many who have sinned and not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and filthiness⁺ that they have committed.