2Cor.12.1
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2Cor.12.1
You've forced me to talk this way, and I do it against my better judgment. But now that we're at it, I may as well bring up the matter of visions and revelations that God gave me.
2Cor.12.1
I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.
2Cor.12.1
It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord:
2Cor.12.1
This boasting is all so foolish, but let me go on. Let me tell about the visions and revelations I received from the Lord.
2Cor.12.2
I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
2Cor.12.2
For instance, I know a man who, fourteen years ago, was seized by Christ and swept in ecstasy to the heights of heaven. I really don't know if this took place in the body or out of it; only God knows.
2Cor.12.2
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know--God knows.
2Cor.12.2
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a one was caught up to the third heaven.
2Cor.12.2
I was caught up into the third heaven fourteen years ago.
2Cor.12.3
And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
2Cor.12.3
I also know that this man was hijacked into paradise--again, whether in or out of the body, I don't know; God knows. There he heard the unspeakable spoken, but was forbidden to tell what he heard.
2Cor.12.3
And I know that this man--whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows--
2Cor.12.3
And I know such a man--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows--
2Cor.12.3
Whether my body was there or just my spirit, I don't know; only God knows.
2Cor.12.4
How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
2Cor.12.4
This is the man I want to talk about. But about myself, I'm not saying another word apart from the humiliations.
2Cor.12.4
was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell.
2Cor.12.4
how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
2Cor.12.4
But I do know that I was caught up into paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be told.
2Cor.12.5
Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
2Cor.12.5
If I had a mind to brag a little, I could probably do it without looking ridiculous, and I'd still be speaking plain truth all the way. But I'll spare you. I don't want anyone imagining me as anything other than the fool you'd encounter if you saw me on the street or heard me talk.
2Cor.12.5
I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.
2Cor.12.5
Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities.
2Cor.12.5
That experience is something worth boasting about, but I am not going to do it. I am going to boast only about my weaknesses.
2Cor.12.6
For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
2Cor.12.6
Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty!
2Cor.12.6
Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say.
2Cor.12.6
For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.
2Cor.12.6
I have plenty to boast about and would be no fool in doing it, because I would be telling the truth. But I won't do it. I don't want anyone to think more highly of me than what they can actually see in my life and my message,
2Cor.12.7
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
2Cor.12.7
At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that,
2Cor.12.7
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
2Cor.12.7
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
2Cor.12.7
even though I have received wonderful revelations from God. But to keep me from getting puffed up, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from getting proud.
2Cor.12.8
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
2Cor.12.8
and then he told me, My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness.
2Cor.12.8
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
2Cor.12.8
Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
2Cor.12.8
Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.
2Cor.12.9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2Cor.12.9
Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size--abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. [JC]
2Cor.12.9
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
2Cor.12.9
And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2Cor.12.9
Each time he said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me.
2Cor.12.10
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2Cor.12.10
Well, now I've done it! I've made a complete fool of myself by going on like this. But it's not all my fault; you put me up to it. You should have been doing this for me, sticking up for me and commending me instead of making me do it for myself. You know from personal experience that even if I'm a nobody, a nothing, I wasn't second-rate compared to those big-shot apostles you're so taken with.
2Cor.12.10
That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2Cor.12.10
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2Cor.12.10
Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2Cor.12.11
I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
2Cor.12.11
All the signs that mark a true apostle were in evidence while I was with you through both good times and bad: signs of portent, signs of wonder, signs of power.
2Cor.12.11
I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the "super-apostles," even though I am nothing.
2Cor.12.11
I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing.
2Cor.12.11
You have made me act like a fool--boasting like this. You ought to be writing commendations for me, for I am not at all inferior to these "super apostles," even though I am nothing at all.
2Cor.12.12
Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
2Cor.12.12
Did you get less of me or of God than any of the other churches? The only thing you got less of was less responsibility for my upkeep. Well, I'm sorry. Forgive me for depriving you.
2Cor.12.12
The things that mark an apostle--signs, wonders and miracles--were done among you with great perseverance.
2Cor.12.12
Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.
2Cor.12.12
When I was with you, I certainly gave you every proof that I am truly an apostle, sent to you by God himself. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you.
2Cor.12.13
For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
2Cor.12.13
Everything is in readiness now for this, my third visit to you. But don't worry about it; you won't have to put yourselves out. I'll be no more of a bother to you this time than on the other visits. I have no interest in what you have--only in you. Children shouldn't have to look out for their parents; parents look out for the children.
2Cor.12.13
How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
2Cor.12.13
For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!
2Cor.12.13
The only thing I didn't do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong!
2Cor.12.14
Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome 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.
2Cor.12.14
I'd be most happy to empty my pockets, even mortgage my life, for your good. So how does it happen that the more I love you, the less I'm loved?
2Cor.12.14
Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
2Cor.12.14
Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
2Cor.12.14
Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I don't want what you have; I want you. And anyway, little children don't pay for their parents' food. It's the other way around; parents supply food for their children.
2Cor.12.15
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
2Cor.12.15
And why is it that I keep coming across these whiffs of gossip about how my self-support was a front behind which I worked an elaborate scam? Where's the evidence?
2Cor.12.15
So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less?
2Cor.12.15
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.
2Cor.12.15
I will gladly spend myself and all I have for your spiritual good, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me.
2Cor.12.16
But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
2Cor.12.16
Did I cheat or trick you through anyone I sent?
2Cor.12.16
Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery!
2Cor.12.16
But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning!
2Cor.12.16
Some of you admit I was not a burden to you. But they still think I was sneaky and took advantage of you by trickery.
2Cor.12.17
Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
2Cor.12.17
I asked Titus to visit, and sent some brothers along. Did they swindle you out of anything? And haven't we always been just as aboveboard, just as honest?
2Cor.12.17
Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent you?
2Cor.12.17
Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you?
2Cor.12.17
But how? Did any of the men I sent to you take advantage of you?
2Cor.12.18
I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
2Cor.12.18
I hope you don't think that all along we've been making our defense before you, the jury. You're not the jury; God is the jury--God revealed in Christ--and we make our case before him. And we've gone to all the trouble of supporting ourselves so that we won't be in the way or get in the way of your growing up.
2Cor.12.18
I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not act in the same spirit and follow the same course?
2Cor.12.18
I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?
2Cor.12.18
When I urged Titus to visit you and sent our other brother with him, did Titus take advantage of you? No, of course not! For we both have the same Spirit and walk in each other's steps, doing things the same way.
2Cor.12.19
Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
2Cor.12.19
I do admit that I have fears that when I come you'll disappoint me and I'll disappoint you, and in frustration with each other everything will fall to pieces--quarrels, jealousy, flaring tempers, taking sides, angry words, vicious rumors, swelled heads, and general bedlam.
2Cor.12.19
Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening.
2Cor.12.19
Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification.
2Cor.12.19
Perhaps you think we are saying all this just to defend ourselves. That isn't it at all. We tell you this as Christ's servants, and we know that God is listening. Everything we do, dear friends, is for your benefit.
2Cor.12.20
For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
2Cor.12.20
I don't look forward to a second humiliation by God among you, compounded by hot tears over that crowd that keeps sinning over and over in the same old ways, who refuse to turn away from the pigsty of evil, sexual disorder, and indecency in which they wallow.
2Cor.12.20
For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.
2Cor.12.20
For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults;
2Cor.12.20
For I am afraid that when I come to visit you I won't like what I find, and then you won't like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfishness, backstabbing, gossip, conceit, and disorderly behavior.
2Cor.12.21
And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
2Cor.12.21
I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.
2Cor.12.21
I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.
2Cor.12.21
lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.
2Cor.12.21
Yes, I am afraid that when I come, God will humble me again because of you. And I will have to grieve because many of you who sinned earlier have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure.
