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12:1 I must surely glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
12:2 I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I don't know; or whether out of the body, I don't know; God knows), such a one caught up even to the third heaven. 12:3 And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I don't know; God knows), 12:4 how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 12:5 On behalf of such a one I will glory: but on my own behalf I will not glory, except in [my] weaknesses. 12:6 For if I should desire to glory, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth: but I forbear, lest any man should account of me above that which he sees me [to be], or hears from me. 12:7 And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted too much, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted too much. 12:8 Concerning this thing I implored the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 12:9 And he has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you: for [my] power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me. 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions and distresses, for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong. 12:11 I have become foolish: you+ 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. 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you+ in all patience, both by signs and wonders, and mighty works. 12:13 For what is there in which you+ were made inferior to the rest of the churches, except [it is] that I myself was not a burden to you+? Forgive me this wrong. 12:14 Look, this is the third time I am ready to come to you+; and I will not be a burden to you+: for I don't seek yours+, but you+: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 12:15 And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your+ souls. If I love you+ more abundantly, am I loved the less? 12:16 But let it be so, I did not myself burden you+; but, being crafty, I caught you+ with guile. 12:17 Did I take advantage of you+ by any one of them whom I have sent to you+? 12:18 I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you+? Did we not walk in the same spirit? [Did we] not [walk] in the same steps? 12:19 You+ think all this time that we are excusing ourselves to you+. In the sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, [are] for your+ edifying. 12:20 For I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you+ not such as I want, and should myself be found of you+ such as you+ do not want; lest by any means [there should be] strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults; 12:21 lest again when I come my God should humble me before you+, and I should mourn for many of those who have sinned before, and didn't repent of the impurity and fornication and sexual immorality in which they participated. |
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