2 CorinthiansChapter 12
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1I must keep on bragging. There is nothing to gain by it. But I will go on to tell about visions and things the Lord has shown me. 2I know a man in Christ who was taken up to the third heaven 14 years ago. I don't know if he was in his body or out of it. God knows. 3And I know that this man was taken up. I don't know if he was in his body or out of it. God knows. 4He was taken up to Paradise. He heard things too wonderful for words. They are things no one is allowed to tell. 5I will brag about a man like that. But I will not brag about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6Even if I wanted to brag, I would not be a fool. I would be telling the truth. But I hold back. I don't want anyone to think more of me than what he sees me do or hears me say. 7I also hold back because these things God showed me were so great. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh. It was a messenger from Satan to torment me. 8Three times I begged the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is all you need. My power is made perfect in weakness." So I will be even more glad to brag about my weaknesses. Then the power of Christ can rest on me. 10That is why I am glad to be weak for Christ's sake. I am glad when people insult me. I am glad in hard times, when people attack me, and when troubles come. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 11I have become a fool, but you made me do it. You should have praised me. I am not any less than those "super-apostles," even though I am nothing. 12The marks of a true apostle were done among you with great patience. Those marks are signs, wonders, and miracles. 13How were you treated worse than the other churches? Only in this: I was not a burden to you. Forgive me for this wrong! 14Look, I am ready to come to you a third time. And I will not be a burden to you. I don't want what you own. I want you. Children should not have to save up for their parents. Parents should save up for their children. 15So I will be very glad to spend all I have for your souls. I will even spend myself. If I love you more, will you love me less? 16Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you. Yet, sly as I am, I caught you with a trick! 17Did I cheat you through any of the men I sent to you? 18I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus cheat you in any way? Didn't we live by the same Spirit? Didn't we walk in the same steps? 19Have you been thinking all along that we were defending ourselves to you? We speak before God, as people in Christ. Dear friends, everything we do is to build you up. 20I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you the way I want. And you may not find me the way you want. I am afraid there may be fighting, jealousy, and anger. There may be selfishness, lies about others, gossip, pride, and disorder. 21I am afraid that when I come again, my God will make me feel humbled in front of you. I may be filled with grief over many who sinned before. They have not turned back to God from their impure acts, their sexual sin, and their wild living.