2 Corinthians 12

1 If I must glory (it is not expedient indeed): but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.2 I know a man in Christ above fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not, or out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up to the third heaven.3 And I know such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not: God knoweth):4 That he was caught up into paradise, and heard secret words, which it is not granted to man to utter.5 For such an one I will glory; but for myself I will glory nothing, but in my infirmities.6 For though I should have a mind to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I will say the truth. But I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth in me, or any thing he heareth from me.7 And lest the greatness of the revelations should exalt me, there was given me a sting of my flesh, an angel of Satan, to buffet me.8 For which thing thrice I besought the Lord, that it might depart from me.9 And he said to me: My grace is sufficient for thee; for power is made perfect in infirmity. Gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.10 For which cause I please myself in my infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ. For when I am weak, then am I powerful.11 I am become foolish: you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you: for I have no way come short of them that are above measure apostles, although I be nothing.12 Yet the signs of my apostleship have been wrought on you, in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.13 For what is there that you have had less than the other churches, but that I myself was not burthensome to you? Pardon me this injury.14 Behold now the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burthensome unto you. For I seek not the things that are yours, but you. For neither ought the children to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.15 But I most gladly will spend and be spent myself for your souls; although loving you more, I be loved less.16 But be it so: I did not burthen you: but being crafty, I caught you by guile.17 Did I overreach you by any of them whom I sent to you?18 I desired Titus, and I sent with him a brother. Did Titus overreach you? Did we not walk with the same spirit? did we not in the same steps?19 Of old, think you that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ; but all things, my dearly beloved, for your edification.20 For I fear lest perhaps when I come I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found by you such as you would not. Lest perhaps contentions, envyings, animosities, dissensions, detractions, whisperings, swellings, seditions, be among you.21 Lest again, when I come, God humble me among you: and I mourn many of them that sinned before, and have not done penance for the uncleanness, and fornication, and lasciviousness, that they have committed.

2 Corinthians 12

Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh

1 It is necessary to go on boasting.t Though it is not profitable, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows) was caught up to the third heaven.3 And I know that this man (whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows)4 was caught up into paradises and heard things too sacred to be put into words,t things that a persont is not permitted to speak.5 On behalf of such an individual I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except about my weaknesses.6 For even if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I would be tellingt the truth, but I refrain from this so that no one may regardt me beyond what he sees in me or what he hears from me,7 even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore,s so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to troublet me – so that I would not become arrogant.t8 I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me.9 Butt he said to me, “My grace is enought for you, for myst power is made perfectt in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladlyt about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside int me.

10 Therefore I am content witht weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficultiest for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

The Signs of an Apostle

11 I have become a fool. You yourselves forced me to do it, for I should have been commended by you. For I lack nothing in comparisont to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.12 Indeed, the signs of an apostle were performed among you with great perseverancet by signs and wonders and powerful deeds.t13 For howt were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this injustice!14 Look, for the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you, because I do not want your possessions, but you. For children should not havet to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.15 Now I will most gladly spend and be spent for your lives!t If I love you more, am I to be loved less?16 But be that as it may, I have not burdened you. Yet because I was a crafty person, I took you in by deceit!17 I have not taken advantage of you through anyone I have sent to you, have I?t18 I urged Titus to visit yout and I sent ourt brother along with him. Titus did not take advantage of you, did he?t Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit? Did we not behave in the same way?t19 Have you been thinking all this times that we have been defending ourselves to you? We are speaking in Christ before God, and everything we do, dear friends, is to build you up.t20 For I am afraid that somehow when I come I will not find you what I wish, and you will find met not what you wish. I am afraid thatt somehow there may be quarreling, jealousy, intense anger, selfish ambition,t slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.

21 I am afraid thatt when I come again, my God may humiliate me before you, and I will grieve fort many of those who previously sinned and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and licentiousness that they have practiced.