2 Corinthians 12
1 I must boast; it is not helpful, but I will move on to visions and revelations from the Lord.
2 I know a man in Christ who, fourteen years ago—whether in the body, I do not know; whether outside the body, I do not know; God knows—was caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I know this man—whether in the body or apart from the body, I do not know; God knows.
4 He was caught up into Paradise and heard words that cannot be spoken, which a human being is not permitted to say.
5 I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except in my weaknesses.
6 For if I wanted to boast, I would not be foolish, because I would be telling the truth. But I hold back, so that no one will think more of me than what they see in me or hear from me.
7 And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, so that I would not become conceited, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to strike me, so that I would not become conceited.
8 About this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me.
9 And he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So I will gladly boast all the more in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and distresses for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
11 I have become a fool; you forced me to. For you should have commended me, since I was in no way inferior to the super-apostles, even though I am nothing.
12 The signs of an apostle were performed among you with complete perseverance, by signs, wonders, and miracles.
13 For how were you treated as less than the other churches, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14 Here I am, ready for the third time to come to you, and I will not be a burden; for I am not seeking what is yours, but you. For children should not save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
15 I will gladly spend and be spent for your lives. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
16 Granted, I was not a burden to you. But being crafty, I caught you by deceit.
17 Did I take advantage of you through any of those I sent to you?
18 I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same Spirit? In the same footsteps?
19 Have you been thinking all along that we are defending ourselves before you? We speak before God in Christ, and everything, beloved, is for your upbuilding.
20 For I fear that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may find me as you do not wish. I fear there may be quarrels, jealousy, outbursts of anger, rivalries, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.
21 I fear that when I come again, my God may humble me before you, and I may mourn for many who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery they practiced.
Read and listen to this chapter in the Shalem app, free: narration, chapter video and reading progress. Get the app