12
1 It
is doubtless not
profitable for me
to boast, but
I will come
to visions
and revelations of
the Lord.
2 I
know a man
in Christ who
was caught up
into the third
heaven fourteen
years ago—whether
in the body,
I don’t know,
or whether out
of the body,
I don’t know;
God knows.
3 I
know such a
man (whether in
the body,
or outside of the
body, I don’t
know; God knows),
4 how
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 I
will boast, but
on my own
behalf I will
not boast, except
in my weaknesses.
6 For
if I would
desire to boast,
I will not
be foolish; for I
will speak
the truth. But I
refrain, so that
no man may
think more of
me than that
which he sees in
me or hears from
me.
7 By
reason of the
exceeding greatness
of the revelations,
that I should
not be exalted
excessively, a
thorn in the
flesh was given
to me: a messenger
of Satan to
torment me, that
I should not
be exalted excessively.
8 Concerning
this thing, I
begged the Lord
three times that
it might depart
from me.
9 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.
10 Therefore
I take pleasure
in weaknesses, in injuries,
in necessities, in
persecutions, and
in distresses, for
Christ’s sake. For
when I am weak,
then am I
strong.
11 I
have become
foolish in boasting.
You compelled me,
for I ought
to have been
commended by you,
for I am
in no way inferior
to the very best
apostles, though I
am nothing.
12 Truly
the signs of
an apostle were worked
among you in
all perseverance,
in signs and
wonders and mighty
works.
13 For
what is there
in which you
were made inferior
to the rest
of the assemblies,
unless it is
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 your possessions,
but you. For
the children ought
not to save
up for the
parents, but the
parents for the
children.
15 I
will most gladly
spend and be
spent for your
souls. If I love
you more
abundantly, am
I loved the less?
16 Even
so, I myself didn’t
burden you. But
you might say
that being crafty,
I caught you
with deception.
17 Did
I take advantage
of you by
anyone of those
whom I have sent
to you?
18 I
exhorted Titus,
and I sent
the brother with
him. Did Titus
take any advantage
of you? Didn’t
we walk in
the same spirit?
Didn’t we walk
in the same
steps?
19 Again, do
you think that
we are excusing ourselves
to you? In
the sight of
God we speak
in Christ. But
all things, beloved,
are for your
edifying.
20 For
I am afraid
that perhaps when
I come, I
might find you
not the way I
want to, and
that I might
be found by
you as you don’t
desire, that
perhaps there
would be strife,
jealousy, outbursts
of anger, factions,
slander, whisperings, proud
thoughts, or riots,
21 that
again when I
come my God
would humble me
before you, and
I would mourn
for many of
those who have
sinned before now,
and not repented
of the uncleanness,
sexual immorality,
and lustfulness which
they committed.