2 Corinthians 12

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

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

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;

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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;

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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;

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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!

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.

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,

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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?

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,

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

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,

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;

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.

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.