Shared Word Translation
2 Corinthians 12
Paul’s Visions and Revelations
It is necessary to boast, though there is nothing to be gained. I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I 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—was caught up to the third heaven. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not permitted for a person to speak. On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in weaknesses. For if I should wish to boast, I would not be foolish, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so that no one may think more of me than what he sees in me or hears from me. And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, therefore, so that I might not be exalted beyond measure, a thorn was given to me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to strike me, so that I might not be exalted beyond measure. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should depart from me. And he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is brought to completion in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with hardships, with persecutions, and with distresses, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Concern for the Corinthians
I have become foolish—you compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you. For I was in no way inferior to the super-apostles, even if I am nothing. The signs of an apostle were performed among you with all endurance, with signs and wonders and works of power. For in what were you treated as inferior to the other churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong. Here 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 ought not to store up for the parents, but parents for the children. I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Yet, being crafty, I caught you by deceit. Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? I urged Titus to go, and I sent the 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?
Final Warnings
Have you been thinking all along that we are defending ourselves to you? It is before God that we speak in Christ, and all for your building up, beloved. For 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, rivalries, slander, gossip, conceit, disorder. I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned before and have not repented of the impurity and sexual immorality and sensuality that they have practiced.