2 Corinthians

12 To be boasting is needful,—it is not indeed profitable, Yet will I come to visions and revelations of [the] Lord:—

2 I know a man in Christ Who fourteen years ago Whether in the body I know not, Or out of the body I know not, God knoweth Such a one as this caught away as far as the third heaven;

3 And I know such a man as this, Whether in the body or apart from the body [I know not],—God knoweth

4 How that he was caught away into paradise, And heard unspeakable things Which it is not allowable for a man to utter:

5 On behalf of such a one as this will I boast, But on behalf of myself will I not boast save in my weaknesses;—

6 Although in fact if I should wish to boast I shall not be foolish, for the truth would I speak; But I forbear lest anyone unto me should reckon above what he beholdeth me [to be] or heareth from me,—Even by the exceeding greatness of the revelations.

7 Wherefore lest I should be unduly lifted up There was given to me a thorn in the flesh, A messenger of Satan that he might buffet me,—Lest I should be unduly lifted up.

8 In this behalf thrice besought I the Lord that it might depart from me;

9 And at once he said unto me—Sufficient for thee is my favour, For my power in weakness is made complete. Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my weaknesses, That the power of Christ may spread a tent over me.

10 Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, and straits, In behalf of Christ; For as soon as I am weak then am I powerful.

11 I have become foolish,—ye compelled me:—I in fact ought by you to have been commended; For not a whit have I come behind the exceeding overmuch apostles,—Even if I am nothing:

12 The signs indeed of an apostle were wrought out among you in all endurance,—[Both] in signs and wonders and mighty works:

13 For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies,—Save that I myself would not allow myself to be a burden unto you? Forgive me this wrong!

14 Lo! this third time I am holding myself in readiness to come unto you, And I will not allow myself to be a burden; For I seek not yours but you;—For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, But the parents for the children;—

15 And I most gladly will spend and be fully spent for your souls:—If I exceedingly love you am I the less loved?

16 But let it be!—I myself did not burden you,—Notwithstanding, being crafty with guile I caught you?

17 Was there anyone of those whom I have sent unto you through whom I have overreached you?

18 I exhorted Titus and sent with him the brother,—Did Titus overreach you? Was it not in the same spirit we walked? Was it not in the same steps?

19 All this time think ye that unto you we are making a defence? Before God in Christ we speak;—But all these things, beloved, for your upbuilding.

20 For I fear—Lest by any means when I come Not such as I wish should I find you, And I should be found by you such as ye do not wish;—Lest by any means [I should find] strife, jealousy, outbursts of wrath, factions, railings, whisperings, puffed up pretensions, confusions;—

21 Lest when I again come my God should humble me in regard to you,—And I should grieve over many who had before sinned, and not repented of the impurity and fornication and wantonness which they had committed.