2 Corinthians 12
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Paul's Revelation

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1I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.1I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.1Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.1It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.1Boasting is necessary. It is not profitable, but I will move on to visions and revelations of 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 the body I do not know--God knows.2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago-- whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows-- such a man was caught up to the third heaven.2I 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.2I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven 14 years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don't know, God knows.
3And I know that this man--whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows--3And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—3And I know how such a man-- whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows--3And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)3I know that this man--whether in the body or out of the body I don't know, God knows--
4was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.4and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.4was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.4How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.4was caught up into paradise. He heard inexpressible words, which a man is not allowed to speak.
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5I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.5On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses—5On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses.5Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.5I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses.
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,6though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me.6For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.6For 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.6For if I want to boast, I will not be a fool, because I will be telling the truth. But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me,

Paul's Thorn and God's Grace

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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.7So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.7Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me-- to keep me from exalting myself!7And 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.7especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself.
8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.8Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.8Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.8For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.8Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from 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.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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.9And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.9And 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.9But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may reside in me.
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.10For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.10Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.10Therefore 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.10So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Concern for the Corinthian Church

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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.11I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing.11I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody.11I 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.11I have become a fool; you forced it on me. I should have been endorsed by you, since I am not in any way inferior to the "super-apostles," even though I am nothing.
12I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.12The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.12The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.12Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.12The signs of an apostle were performed with great endurance among you--not only signs but also wonders and miracles.
13How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!13For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!13For in what respect 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!13For 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.13So in what way were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I personally did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!
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.14Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.14Here for this 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 responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.14Behold, 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.14Now I am ready to come to you this third time. I will not burden you, for I am not seeking what is yours, but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
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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?15I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?15I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?15And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.15I will most gladly spend and be spent for you. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
16Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery!16But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit.16But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit.16But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.16Now granted, I have not burdened you; yet sly as I am, I took you in by deceit!
17Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent to you?17Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you?17Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I?17Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?17Did I take advantage of you by anyone I sent you?
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?18I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?18I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps?18I 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?18I urged Titus to come, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Didn't we walk in the same spirit and in the same footsteps?
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.19Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved.19All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved.19Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.19You have thought all along that we were defending ourselves to you. No, in the sight of God we are speaking in Christ, and everything, dear friends, is for building you up.
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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.20For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.20For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances;20For 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:20For I fear that perhaps when I come I will not find you to be what I want, and I may not be found by you to be what you want; there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, 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 the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.21I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.21I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.21And 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.21I fear that when I come my God will again humiliate me in your presence, and I will grieve for many who sinned before and have not repented of the moral impurity, sexual immorality, and promiscuity they practiced.



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