2 Corinthians 12
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1I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to gain, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.1I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.
2I 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 it I do not know, but God knows.2I 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.
3And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows—3And I know that this man--whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows--
4was caught up to Paradise. The things he heard were too sacred for words, things that man is not permitted to tell.4was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.
5I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except in my weaknesses.5I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.
6Even if I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me,6Even 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,
7or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.7or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
9But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.9But 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.
10That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.10That 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.
11I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.11I 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.
12The true marks of an apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were performed among you with great perseverance.12I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.
13In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!13How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14See, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be a burden, because I am not seeking your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.14Now 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.
15And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less?15So 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?
16Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you; but crafty as I am, I caught you by trickery.16Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery!
17Did I exploit you by anyone I sent you?17Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent to you?
18I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus exploit you in any way? Did we not walk in the same Spirit and follow in the same footsteps?18I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not walk in the same footsteps by the same Spirit?
19Have you been thinking all along that we were making a defense to you? We speak before God in Christ, and all of this, beloved, is to build you up.19Have 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.
20For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.20For 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 discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.
21I 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 their acts of impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery.21I 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.
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2 Corinthians 11
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