2 Corinthians 12 — DBY
12Verse 1Well, it is not of profit to me to boast, for I will come to visions and revelations of [the] Lord.Verse 2I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago, (whether in [the] body I know not, or out of the body I know not,°God knows;) such [a one] caught up to [the] third heaven.Verse 3And I know such a man, (whether in [the] body or out of the body I know not,°God knows;)Verse 4that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable things said which it is not allowed to man to utter.Verse 5Of such [a one] I will boast, but of myself I will not boast, unless in my weaknesses.Verse 6For if I shall desire to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I will say [the] truth; but I forbear, lest any one should think as to me above what he sees me [to be], or whatever he may hear of me.Verse 7And that I might not be exalted by the exceeding greatness of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn for the flesh, a messenger of Satan that he might buffet me, that I might not be exalted.Verse 8For this I thrice besought the Lord that it might depart from me.Verse 9And he said to me, My grace suffices thee; for [my] power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of the Christ may dwell upon me.Verse 10Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in straits, for Christ: for when I am weak, then I am powerful.Verse 11I have become a fool; ye have compelled me; for I ought to have been commended by you; for I have been nothing behind those who were in surpassing degree apostles, if also I am nothing.Verse 12The signs indeed of the apostle were wrought among you in all endurance, signs, and wonders, and works of power.Verse 13For in what is it that ye have been inferior to the other assemblies, unless that I myself have not been in laziness a charge upon you? Forgive me this injury.Verse 14Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be in laziness a charge; for I do not seek yours, but you; for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.Verse 15Now I shall most gladly spend and be utterly spent for your souls, if even in abundantly loving you I should be less loved.Verse 16But be it so. I did not burden you, but being crafty I took you by guile.Verse 17Did I make gain of you by any of those whom I have sent to you?Verse 18I begged Titus, and sent the brother with [him]: did Titus at all make gain of you? have we not walked in the same spirit? [have we] not in the same steps?Verse 19Ye have long been supposing that we excuse ourselves to you: we speak before°God in Christ; and all things, beloved, for your building up.Verse 20For I fear lest perhaps coming I find you not such as I wish, and that I be found by you such as ye do not wish: lest [there might be] strifes, jealousies, angers, contentions, evil speakings, whisperings, puffings up, disturbances;Verse 21lest my°God should humble me as to you when I come again, and that I shall grieve over many of those who have sinned before, and have not repented as to the uncleanness and fornication and licentiousness which they have practised.