2 Corinthians 12

¹ If boasting must be, though it is not expedient, indeed, yet I shall also be coming to apparitions and revelations of the Lord. ² I am acquainted with a man in Christ, fourteen years before this, (whether in a body I am not aware, or outside of the body, I am not aware - God is aware) such a one was snatched away to the third heaven. ³ And I am acquainted with such a man (whether in a body or outside of the body I am not aware - God is aware) ⁴ that he was snatched away into paradise and hears ineffable declarations, which it is not allowed a man to speak. ⁵ Over such a one I shall be boasting; yet over myself I shall not be boasting, except in my infirmities. ⁶ For, if ever I should be wanting to boast, I shall not be imprudent, for I shall be declaring the truth. Yet I am reticent. No one should be reckoning me to be above what he is observing of me or anything he is hearing of me. ⁷ Wherefore also, lest I should be lifted up by the transcendence of the revelations, there was given to me a splinter in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, that he may be buffeting me, lest I may be lifted up. ⁸ For this I entreat the Lord thrice, that it should withdraw from me. ⁹ And He has protested to me, "Sufficient for you is My grace, for My power in infirmity is being perfected." With the greatest relish, then, will I rather be glorying in my infirmities, that the power of Christ should be tabernacling over me. ¹⁰ Wherefore I delight in infirmities, in outrages, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake, for, whenever I may be weak, then I am powerful. ¹¹ I have become imprudent; you compel me. For I ought to be commended by you, for I am not deficient in anything pertaining to the paramount apostles, even if I am nothing. ¹² Indeed, the signs of an apostle are produced among you in all endurance, besides in signs and miracles and powerful deeds. ¹³ For is there anything in which you were discomfited above the rest of the ecclesias, except that I myself am not an encumbrance to you? Deal graciously with me for this injustice! ¹⁴ Lo! this third time I hold myself ready to come to you and I shall not be an encumberance, for I am not seeking yours but you. For the children ought not to be hoarding for the parents, but the parents for the children. ¹⁵ Yet with the greatest relish shall I spend and be bankrupted for the sake of your souls, even if loving you more exceedingly diminishes your love for me. ¹⁶ Now, let be, I do not overburden you, but, being inherently crafty, I got you by guile! ¹⁷ Did not anyone of those whom I have dispatched to you? Through him do I overreach you? ¹⁸ I entreat Titus, and dispatch together with him a brother. Does Titus not overreach you? Walk we not in the same spirit? Not in the same footprints? ¹⁹ Again, you are presuming that we are defending ourselves to you. Facing God, in Christ, are we speaking, yet all, beloved, for the sake of your edification. ²⁰ For I fear, lest somehow, on coming, I may not be finding you such as I want, and I may be found by you such as you do not want; lest somehow there be strife, jealousy, fury, factions, vilifications, whisperings, puffing up, turbulences. ²¹ Not again at my coming will my God be humbling me toward you, and I shall be mourning for many who have sinned before and are not repenting of the uncleanness and prostitution and wantonness which they commit.