12:1 Boasting may become necessary, though it does not profit; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. |
12:2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a man became caught up to the third heaven. |
12:3 And I know how such a man--whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows-- |
12:4 became caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man does not have permission to speak. |
12:5 On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. |
12:6 For if I do wish to boast I will not feel foolish, for I will speak the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me. |
12:7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, God gave me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself! |
12:8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. |
12:9 And He has said to me, "My grace proves sufficient for you, for power perfects in weakness" Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. |
12:10 Therefore I feel well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I seem weak, then I have strength. |
12:11 I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me Actually I should have received commendation by you, for in no respect did I prove inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I seem a nobody. |
12:12 The signs of a true apostle you had performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles. |
12:13 For in what respect did you receive treatment as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong! |
12:14 Here for this third time I find myself ready to come to you, and I will not burden you; for I do not seek yours, but you; for children do not have the responsibility to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. |
12:15 I will most gladly spend and expend myself for your souls If I love you more, do you love me less? |
12:16 But though it may seem, I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I have prove myself, I took you in by deceit. |
12:17 Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I? |
12:18 I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps? |
12:19 All this time you have thought that we defended ourselves to you. Actually, it has proved in the sight of God that we have spoken in Christ; and all for your edification, beloved. |
12:20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you to have become not what I wish and you may find me not what you wish; that perhaps there will occur strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances; |
12:21 I fear that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced. |