2 Corinthians 12

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

1I must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but 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 whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even 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 apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth),

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

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

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

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

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 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.

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

8Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, 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 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.

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 injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

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 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.

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

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

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 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.

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 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.

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

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

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 myself burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

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

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

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 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.

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 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;

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 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.