2 Corinthians 12:1–21
12 It is 1doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to avisions and brevelations of the Lord: 2 I know a man cin Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one dwas caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—4 how he was caught up into eParadise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not fboast, except in my infirmities. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a gthorn in the flesh was given to me, ha messenger of Satan to 2buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 iConcerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly jI will rather boast in my infirmities, kthat the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore lI take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. mFor when I am weak, then I am strong.
11 I have become na fool 3in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for oin nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though pI am nothing. 12 qTruly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and rwonders and mighty sdeeds. 13 For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14 tNow for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for uI do not seek yours, but you. vFor the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent wfor your souls; though xthe more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.
16 But be that as it may, yI did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning! 17 Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus, and sent our zbrother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?
19 aAgain, 4do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? bWe speak before God in Christ. cBut we do all things, beloved, for your edification. 20 For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that dI shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; 21 lest, when I come again, my God ewill humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many fwho have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, gfornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.