2 Corinthians 12

1Boasting is necessary, though it is not beneficial; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2I know a man in Messiah who, fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or outside the body I do not know, God knows—was caught up to the third heaven.

3And I know such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know; God knows—

4that he was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.

5On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on behalf of myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.

6For if I should want to boast, I would not be foolish, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so that no one may reckon me above what he sees in me or hears from me.

7And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations—so that I might not exalt myself—a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, so that it might torment me, so that I might not exalt myself.

8Concerning this, three times I pleaded with the Lord that it might depart from me.

9And he has 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 in my weaknesses, so that the power of Messiah may dwell upon me.

10Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions and distresses, for the sake of Messiah; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

11I have become a fool; you forced me to it. For I ought to have been commended by you, for I fell short in nothing compared with those super-apostles, even if I am nothing.

12Indeed, the signs of an apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, with signs and wonders and powers.

13For in what were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong.

14Look, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you. For I do not seek what is yours, but you. For children are not obligated to store up for their parents, but parents for their children.

15But I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved less?

16But let it be so: I did not burden you. Yet, being crafty, I took you by deceit.

17Did I exploit you through any of those whom I sent to you?

18I urged Titus to go and sent the brother with him. Titus did not take advantage of you, did he? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same footsteps?

19Have you been thinking all along that we are defending ourselves to you? Before God, in Messiah, we are speaking. And everything, beloved, is for your building up.

20For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and I may be found by you to be as you do not wish—that perhaps there may be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, slanders, whisperings, conceit, and disorder.

21I fear that when I come again, my God may humble me before you, and I will mourn over many who have sinned before and have not repented of the impurity and sexual immorality and sensuality that they practiced.