2 Corinthians 12

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

1To boast, really, is not profitable for me, for I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

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.

2I have known a man in Christ, fourteen years ago--whether in the body I have not known, whether out of the body I have not known, God hath known--such an one being caught away unto the third heaven;

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

3and I have known such a man--whether in the body, whether out of the body, I have not known, God hath known, --

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

4that he was caught away to the paradise, and heard unutterable sayings, that it is not possible for man to speak.

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

5Of such an one I will boast, and of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities,

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.

6for if I may wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for truth I will say; but I forebear, lest any one in regard to me may think anything above what he doth see me, or doth hear anything of me;

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.

7and that by the exceeding greatness of the revelations I might not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of the Adversary, that he might buffet me, that I might not be exalted overmuch.

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

8Concerning this thing thrice the Lord did I call upon, that it might depart from 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.

9and He said to me, `Sufficient for thee is My grace, for My power in infirmity is perfected;' most gladly, therefore, will I rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of the Christ may rest on me:

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.

10wherefore I am well pleased in infirmities, in damages, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses--for Christ; for whenever I am infirm, then I am powerful;

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.

11I have become a fool--boasting; ye--ye did compel me; for I ought by you to have been commended, for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles--even if I am nothing.

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

12The signs, indeed, of the apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds,

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.

13for what is there in which ye were inferior to the rest of the assemblies, except that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this injustice!

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.

14Lo, a third time I am ready to come unto you, and I will not be a burden to you, for I seek not yours, but you, for the children ought not for the parents to lay up, but the parents for the children,

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

15and I most gladly will spend and be entirely spent for your souls, even if, more abundantly loving you, less I am loved.

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

16And be it <FI>so<Fi> , I--I did not burden you, but being crafty, with guile I did take you;

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

17any one of those whom I have sent unto you--by him did I take advantage of you?

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?

18I entreated Titus, and did send with <FI>him<Fi> the brother; did Titus take advantage of you? in the same spirit did we not walk? --did we not in the same steps?

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.

19Again, think ye that to you we are making defence? before God in Christ do we speak; and the all things, beloved, <FI>are<Fi> for your up-building,

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.

20for I fear lest, having come, not such as I wish I may find you, and I--I may be found by you such as ye do not wish, lest there be strifes, envyings, wraths, revelries, evil-speakings, whisperings, puffings up, insurrections,

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.

21lest again having come, my God may humble me in regard to you, and I may bewail many of those having sinned before, and not having reformed concerning the uncleanness, and whoredom, and lasciviousness, that they did practise.