Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 12
{12:1} It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. For I will
come to visions and revelations of the Lord. {12:2} I know a man in
Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I don't know, or
whether out of the body, I don't know; God knows), such a one caught
up into the third heaven. {12:3} I know such a man (whether in the
body, or outside of the body, I don't know; God knows), {12:4} how he
was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is
not lawful for a man to utter. {12:5} On behalf of such a one I will
boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.
{12:6} For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I
will speak the truth. But I refrain, so that no man may think more of
me than that which he sees in me, or hears from me. {12:7} By reason
of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be
exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a
messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted
excessively. {12:8} Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three
times that it might depart from me. {12:9} He has said to me, "My
grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in
weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses,
that the power of Christ may rest on me.
{12:10} Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in
necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For
when I am weak, then am I strong. {12:11} I have become foolish in
boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you,
for in nothing was I inferior to the very best apostles, though I am
nothing. {12:12} Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you
in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty works. {12:13} For
what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the
assemblies, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you?
Forgive me this wrong.
{12:14} Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you,
and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions,
but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but
the parents for the children. {12:15} I will most gladly spend and be
spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the
less? {12:16} But be it so, I did not myself burden you. But, being
crafty, I caught you with deception. {12:17} Did I take advantage of
you by anyone of them whom I have sent to you? {12:18} I exhorted
Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage
of you? Didn't we walk in the same spirit? Didn't we walk in the same
steps? {12:19} Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to
you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved,
are for your edifying. {12:20} For I am afraid that by any means, when
I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be
found by you as you don't desire; that by any means there would be
strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings,
proud thoughts, riots; {12:21} that again when I come my God would
humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have
sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness and sexual
immorality and lustfulness which they committed.
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