哥林多後書 12

異象和啟示

1 雖然自誇無益，我還是不得不誇。我現在要提到主的異象和啟示。 2 我認識一個在基督裏的人，他在十四年前被提到第三層天上去；或在身內，我不知道，或在身外，我也不知道，只有上帝知道。 3 我認識的這樣的一個人—或在身內，或在身外，我都不知道，只有上帝知道— 4 他被提到樂園裏，聽見隱祕的言語，是人不可說的。 5 為這人，我要誇口；但是為我自己，除了我的軟弱以外，我並不誇口。 6 就是我願意誇口也不算狂，因為我會說實話；只是我絕口不談，恐怕有人把我看得太高了，過於他在我身上所看見所聽見的； 7 又恐怕我因所得的啟示太高深，就過於高抬自己，所以t有一根刺加在我身上，就是撒但的差役來折磨我，免得我過於高抬自己。 8 為了這事，我曾三次求主使這根刺離開我。 9 他對我說：「我的恩典是夠你用的，因為我的能力是在人的軟弱上顯得完全。」所以，我更喜歡誇耀自己的軟弱，好使基督的能力覆庇我。 10 為基督的緣故，我以軟弱、凌辱、艱難、迫害、困苦為可喜樂的事；因為我甚麼時候軟弱，甚麼時候就剛強了。

保羅關心哥林多教會

11 我成了愚蠢人，是被你們逼出來的，因為我本該被你們讚許才是。雖然我算不了甚麼，卻沒有一件事在那些超級使徒以下。 12 我在你們中間，用百般的忍耐，藉著神蹟、奇事、異能顯出使徒的憑據來。 13 除了我不曾連累你們這一件事，你們還有甚麼事不及別的教會呢？這不公平之處，請你們饒恕我吧。

14 如今，我準備第三次到你們那裏去。我仍不會連累你們，因為我所求的是你們，不是你們的財物。兒女不該為父母積財，父母該為兒女積財。 15 我也甘心樂意為你們的靈魂費財費力。難道我越愛你們，就越少得你們的愛嗎？ 16 罷了，我自己並沒有連累你們，你們卻有人說，我施詭詐，用心計牢籠你們。 17 我所差遣到你們那裏去的人，我何曾藉著他們中的任何人佔過你們的便宜呢？ 18 我勸提多到你們那裏去，又差遣那位弟兄與他同去，提多佔過你們的便宜嗎？我們的行事為人不是同一心靈t嗎？不是同一步伐嗎？

19 你們一直認為我們是在你們面前為自己辯護嗎？其實，我們本是在基督裏當著上帝面前說話。親愛的，一切的事都是為了造就你們。 20 我怕我再來的時候，見你們不合我所期望的，而你們見我也不合你們所期望的。我怕有紛爭、嫉妒、憤怒、自私、毀謗、讒言、狂傲、動亂的事。 21 我怕我再來的時候，我的上帝使我在你們面前蒙羞，並且又因許多人從前犯罪，行污穢、淫亂、放蕩的事，不肯悔改而悲傷。

2 CORINTHIANS 12

Visions from the Lord

1 I have to brag. There is nothing to be gained by it, but I must brag about the visions and other things that the Lord has shown me.

2 I know about one of Christ's followers who was taken up into the third heaven 14 years ago. I don't know if the man was still in his body when it happened, but God certainly knows.
3 As I said, only God really knows if this man was in his body at the time. 4 But he was taken up into paradise, t where he heard things too wonderful to tell.

5 I will brag about that man, but not about myself, except to say how weak I am.
6 Yet even if I did brag, I would not be foolish. I would simply be speaking the truth. But I will try not to say too much. That way, none of you will think more highly of me than you should because of what you have seen me do and say.

7 Of course, I am now referring to the wonderful things I saw. One of Satan's angels was sent to make me suffer terribly, so that I would not feel too proud.t
8 Three times I begged the Lord to make this suffering go away. 9 But he replied, “My gift of undeserved grace is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So if Christ keeps giving me his power, I will gladly brag about how weak I am.

10 Yes, I am glad to be weak or insulted or mistreated or to have troubles and sufferings, if it is for Christ. Because when I am weak, I am strong.

Paul's Concern //for the Lord's Followers //at Corinth

11 I have been making a fool of myself. But you forced me to do it, when you should have been speaking up for me. I may be nothing at all, but I am as good as those super apostles. 12 When I was with you, I was patient and worked all the powerful miracles and signs and wonders of a true apostle.

13 You missed out on only one blessing the other churches received. That is, you didn't have to support me. Forgive me for doing you wrong.
14 I am planning to visit you for the third time. But I still won't make a burden of myself. What I really want is you, and not what you have. Children are not supposed to save up for their parents, but parents are supposed to take care of their children. 15 So I will gladly give all I have and all I am. Will you love me less for loving you too much? 16 You agree that I wasn't a burden to you. Maybe that's because I was trying to catch you off guard and trick you. 17 Were you cheated by any of those I sent to you?

18 I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent another follower with him. But Titus didn't cheat you, and we felt and behaved the same way he did.

19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? Actually, we have been speaking to God as followers of Christ. But, my friends, we did it all for your good.
20 I am afraid when I come, we won't be pleased with each other. I fear that some of you may be arguing or jealous or angry or selfish or gossiping or insulting each other. I even fear that you may be proud and acting like a mob. 21 I am afraid God will make me ashamed when I visit you again. I will feel like crying because many of you have never given up your old sins. You are still doing things that are immoral, indecent, and shameful.