2 Corinthians 12

It is necessary to boast. {It is} not profitable, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

I know a man in Christ—whether in the body, I do not know, or out of the body, I do not know, God knows—such a {man} having been caught up to the third heaven 14 years ago. \*

And I know that such a man—whether in body, or out of the body, I do not know, God knows—

that he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words which are not permitted for a man to speak.

On behalf of such a {man} I will boast. But on behalf of myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses. \*

For even if I desire to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain, {so that} no one would think more of me than what he sees {in} me or hears from me.

And because of the surpassing {nature} of the revelations, therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me—a messenger of Satan—so that he might buffet me, so that I would not become arrogant. \*

Three times I begged the Lord about this, that he would remove {it} from me.

But he has said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is being made perfect in weakness.” So I will most gladly boast even more in my weaknesses so that the power of Christ might reside upon me.

Therefore, I take delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions and distresses for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am powerful. \*

I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. For I ought to be commended by you, for I lacked nothing of the “super-apostles,” even if I am nothing.

Indeed, the signs of an apostle were performed among you with all endurance—both signs and wonders and miracles.

For what is {the way} that you were {treated} worse than the remaining churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this injustice! \*

Behold! I am ready to come to you this third time, and I will not burden you. For I do not seek the things of yours, but you. For the children should not store up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

Now I will most gladly spend and be completely spent for the sake of your souls. If loving you more abundantly, am I to be loved less? \*

But let it be {so}, I myself did not burden you, but being crafty, I caught you by deceit.

{There is} no one whom I have sent to you, that through him I took advantage of you, is there?

I urged Titus {to go} and sent the {other} brother with {him}. Unless Titus took advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? {Did we} not {walk} in the same footsteps? \*

Do you think all of this time that we are defending ourselves to you? Before God in Christ we are speaking. But all these things, beloved, {are} for the sake of your building up. \*

For I fear that somehow, having come, I might find you not such as I wish, and I might be found by you not such as you wish; that somehow {there may be} quarreling, jealousy, ragings, rivalries, slanders, gossips, inflated egos, {and} riots,

that when I come again, my God might humble me before you, and I would mourn over many of the ones having sinned before and not having repented from the impurity and sexual immorality and debauchery that they did. \*