2 Corinthians 12

A Vision of Paradise

1 It is necessary to boast; it is not profitable, but I will proceed to visions and revelations of the Lord.2 I know a man in Christ fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or outside the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven,3 and I know this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—4 that he was caught up to paradise and heard words not to be spoken, which it is not permitted for a person to speak.5 On behalf of such a person I will boast, but on behalf of myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.6 For if I want to boast, I will not be foolish, because I will be telling the truth, but I am refraining, so that no one can credit to me more than what he sees in me or hears anything from me,7 even because of the extraordinary degree of the revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, in order that it would torment me so that I would not exalt myself.8 Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would depart from me.9 And he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, because thet power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore rather I will boast most gladly in my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may reside in me.

10 Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in calamities, in persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul’s Concern for the Christians at Corinth

11 I have become a fool! You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for I am in no way inferior to the preeminent apostles,t even if I am nothing.12 Indeed, the signs of an apostle have been done among you with all patient endurance, both signs and wonders and deeds of power.13 For in what respect are you made worse offt more than the rest of the churches, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!14 Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you. For I am not seeking your possessions, but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.15 But I will spend and be expended most gladly for your lives. If I love you much more, am I to be loved less?16 But let it be. I have not been a burden to you, but because I was crafty, I took you by cunning.17 I have not taken advantage of you through anyone whom I sent to yout, have I?18 I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same footsteps?19 Have you been thinking all this time that we are defending ourselves to you? We are speaking in Christ before God, and all these things, dear friends, are for your edification.20 For I am afraid lest somehow when I arrive, I will not find you as I want, and I may be found by you as you do not want. I am afraid lest somehow there will be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, pride, disorder.

21 I am afraid lest when I come again my God will humiliate me in your presencet, and I will grieve over many of those who sinned previously and have not repented because of their impurity and sexual immorality and licentiousness that they have practiced.

2 Corinthians 12

1 I must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.2 I 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.3 And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth),4 how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.5 On behalf of such a one will I glory: but on mine own behalf I will not glory, save in my weaknesses.6 For 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.7 And 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.8 Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.9 And 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.10 Wherefore 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.11 I 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.12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, by signs and wonders and mighty works.13 For 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.14 Behold, 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.15 And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?16 But be it so, I did not myself burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with guile.17 Did I take advantage of you by any one of them whom I have sent unto you?18 I 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?19 Ye 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.20 For 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;21 lest 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.