2 Corinthians 12 — NWB
12Verse 1It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.Verse 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 one caught up to the third heaven.Verse 3And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)Verse 4That he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.Verse 5Of such one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in my infirmities.Verse 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 what he heareth from me.Verse 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.Verse 8For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.Verse 9And he said to 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.Verse 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.Verse 11I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended by you: for in nothing am I behind the very greatest apostles, though I am nothing.Verse 12Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.Verse 13For what is that in which ye were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.Verse 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.Verse 15And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.Verse 16But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.Verse 17Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent to you?Verse 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?Verse 19Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves to you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edification.Verse 20For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found by you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:Verse 21And lest, when I come again, my God may humble me among you, and I shall bewail many who have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness, and lewdness, and lasciviousness, which they have committed.