2 Corinthians 12

1 It is necessary to boast. It is not an advantage, but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. [a] 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago — whether in the body I do not know, or outside the body I do not know, God knows — such a one was snatched away as far as the third heaven. [b] 3 And I know such a man — whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows — [c] 4 that he was snatched away into the garden and heard words not to be spoken, which it is not permitted for a person to say. [d] †

5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on behalf of myself I will not boast except in the weaknesses. 6 For if I should want to boast, I will not be foolish, for I will speak the truth. But I spare you, so that no one may count me beyond what he sees me to be or hears from me, [e] 7 and by the excess of the revelations. Therefore, so that I might not be lifted up too high, there was given to me a stake in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, so that it might strike me with fists, so that I might not be lifted up too high. [f] † 8 About this I urged the Lord three times, that it might stand away from me.

9 And he has said to me, “My favor is enough for you, for power is brought to completion in weakness.” So most gladly I will boast the more in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may pitch its tent over me. [g] † 10 Therefore I am well pleased in weaknesses, in shameful treatment, in necessities, in persecutions and distresses, for Christ’s sake; for whenever I am weak, then I am powerful. [h]

11 I have become foolish. You forced me. For I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing did I fall short of the super-apostles, even if I am nothing. [i] 12 The signs of the apostle were worked out among you in all endurance, both by signs and wonders and acts of power. [j] 13 For in what were you made less than the rest of the gatherings, except that I myself was not a dead weight on you? Freely forgive me this wrongdoing. [k]

14 Look, this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a dead weight; for I do not seek what is yours but you. For the children ought not to store up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15 And I will most gladly spend and be spent out for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved less? [l] 16 But let it be: I did not weigh you down. But, being crafty, I took you by deceit. [m] 17 Any of those I have sent to you — did I take advantage of you through him? [n] 18 I urged Titus, and I sent the brother along with him. Titus did not take advantage of you, did he? Did we not walk by the same spirit? Not in the same footsteps?

19 All along you have been thinking that we are making our defense to you. Before God, in Christ, we speak; and all things, beloved, are for your building up. [o] 20 For I fear that somehow, when I come, I may not find you such as I want, and I may be found by you such as you do not want; that somehow there may be strife, jealousy, furies, selfish ambitions, slanders, whisperings, puffings up, disorders; [p] 21 that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may mourn for many of those who sinned before and did not have a change of mind over the uncleanness and sexual immorality and indecency that they practiced. [q]