2 Corinthians 12

1I must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

1I must go on boasting, even though it doesn't do any good. I will move on now to visions and revelations from the Lord.

2I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to the third heaven.

2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was taken up to the third heaven. I don’t know if he was in his body or out of his body; only God knows.

3And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth),

3And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows—

4how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

4was caught up into Paradise. He heard things that are too sacred to be put into words, things that no human is permitted to tell.

5On behalf of such a one will I glory: but on mine own behalf I will not glory, save in my weaknesses.

5I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except to talk about my weaknesses.

6For if I should desire to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I shall speak the truth: but I forbear, lest any man should account of me above that which he seeth me to be, or heareth from me.

6Even if I wanted to boast, I wouldn’t be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I won't do it, because I don't want anyone to think more of me than what they see me do or hear me say.

7And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch.

7To keep me from becoming too proud because of these amazing revelations, I was given a thorn in my flesh. It is a messenger from Satan sent to torment me and keep me humble.

8Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

8Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away from me.

9And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

9But he said to me, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

10Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

10That is why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am truly strong.

11I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing.

11I am acting like a fool, but you forced me to do it. You should have been the ones praising me. Even though I am nothing, I am not at all inferior to those 'super-apostles.'

12Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, by signs and wonders and mighty works.

12While I was with you, I gave you proof that I am a true apostle. I worked with great patience, performing signs, wonders, and miracles.

13For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the churches, except it be that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this wrong.

13In what way were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I didn't ask you to support me financially? Please forgive me for this 'wrong'!

14Behold, 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 yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

14Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I still won't be a burden to you. I don't want your money; I want you. After all, children shouldn't have to save up for their parents; parents should save up for their children.

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

15I will gladly spend everything I have, and even myself, for your sake. If I love you more, will you love me less?

16But be it so, I did not myself burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

16Some of you agree that I wasn't a financial burden, but you think I was sneaky and tricked you.

17Did I take advantage of you by any one of them whom I have sent unto you?

17Did I take advantage of you through any of the men I sent to you?

18I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

18I urged Titus to visit you and I sent another brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Didn't we act with the same spirit and follow the same path?

19Ye think all this time that we are excusing ourselves unto you. In the sight of God speak we in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.

19Perhaps you think we have been trying to defend ourselves to you all this time. No, we are speaking in the sight of God as followers of Christ. Everything we do, dear friends, is to help you grow stronger.

20For I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you not such as I would, and should myself be found of you such as ye would not; lest by any means there should be strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults;

20For I am afraid that when I come, I might not like what I find, and you might not like how I act. I am afraid I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.

21lest again when I come my God should humble me before you, and I should mourn for many of them that have sinned heretofore, and repented not of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they committed.

21I am afraid that when I come again, my God will humble me in front of you. I may have to grieve over many who have sinned in the past and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin, and eagerness for lustful pleasure they have practiced.