2 Corinthians 12

1Well, it is not of profit to me to boast, for I will come to visions and revelations of [the] Lord.

1If I must glory (it is not expedient indeed) but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

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

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

3And I know such a man, (whether in [the] body or out of the body I know not,God knows;)

3And I know such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not: God knoweth):

4that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable things said which it is not allowed to man to utter.

4That he was caught up into paradise and heard secret words which it is not granted to man to utter.

5Of such [a one] I will boast, but of myself I will not boast, unless in my weaknesses.

5For such an one I will glory: but for myself I will glory nothing but in my infirmities.

6For if I shall desire to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I will say [the] truth; but I forbear, lest any one should think as to me above what he sees me [to be], or whatever he may hear of me.

6For though I should have a mind to glory, I shall not be foolish: for I will say the truth. But I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth in me, or any thing he heareth from me.

7And that I might not be exalted by the exceeding greatness of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn for the flesh, a messenger of Satan that he might buffet me, that I might not be exalted.

7And lest the greatness of the revelations should exalt me, there was given me a sting of my flesh, an angel of Satan, to buffet me.

8For this I thrice besought the Lord that it might depart from me.

8For which thing, thrice I besought the Lord that it might depart from me.

9And he said to me, My grace suffices thee; for [my] power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of the Christ may dwell upon me.

9And he said to me: My grace is sufficient for thee: for power is made perfect in infirmity. Gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

10Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in straits, for Christ: for when I am weak, then I am powerful.

10For which cause I please myself in my infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ. For when I am weak, then am I powerful.

11I have become a fool; ye have compelled me; for I ought to have been commended by you; for I have been nothing behind those who were in surpassing degree apostles, if also I am nothing.

11I am become foolish. You have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended by you. For I have no way come short of them that are above measure apostles, although I be nothing.

12The signs indeed of the apostle were wrought among you in all endurance, signs, and wonders, and works of power.

12Yet the signs of my apostleship have been wrought on you, in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.

13For in what is it that ye have been inferior to the other assemblies, unless that I myself have not been in laziness a charge upon you? Forgive me this injury.

13For what is there that you have had less than the other churches but that I myself was not burthensome to you? Pardon me this injury.

14Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be in laziness a charge; for I do not seek yours, but you; for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

14Behold now the third time I am ready to come to you and I will not be burthensome unto you. For I seek not the things that are yours, but you. For neither ought the children to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

15Now I shall most gladly spend and be utterly spent for your souls, if even in abundantly loving you I should be less loved.

15But I most gladly will spend and be spent myself for your souls: although loving you more, I be loved less.

16But be it so. I did not burden you, but being crafty I took you by guile.

16But be it so: I did not burthen you: but being crafty, I caught you by guile.

17Did I make gain of you by any of those whom I have sent to you?

17Did I overreach you by any of them whom I sent to you?

18I begged Titus, and sent the brother with [him]: did Titus at all make gain of you? have we not walked in the same spirit? [have we] not in the same steps?

18I desired Titus: and I sent with him a brother. Did Titus overreach you? Did we not walk with the same spirit? Did we not in the same steps?

19Ye have long been supposing that we excuse ourselves to you: we speak beforeGod in Christ; and all things, beloved, for your building up.

19Of old, think you that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ: but all things, my dearly beloved, for your edification.

20For I fear lest perhaps coming I find you not such as I wish, and that I be found by you such as ye do not wish: lest [there might be] strifes, jealousies, angers, contentions, evil speakings, whisperings, puffings up, disturbances;

20For I fear lest perhaps, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found by you such as you would not. Lest perhaps contentions, envyings, animosities, dissensions, detractions, whisperings, swellings, seditions, be among you.

21lest myGod should humble me as to you when I come again, and that I shall grieve over many of those who have sinned before, and have not repented as to the uncleanness and fornication and licentiousness which they have practised.

21Lest again, when I come, God humble me among you: and I mourn many of them that sinned before and have not done penance for the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness that they have committed.