AFV2020 - II Corinthians - 12

12:1  Indeed, it is not expedient for me to boast. But I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

12:2  I know a man in Christ who, fourteen years ago, was caught up to the third heaven. (Whether this man was in the body, I do not know; or out of the body, I do not know—God knows.)

12:3  Now I know such a man, (whether taken up in the body, or out of the body, I do not know—God knows),

12:4  And that he was caught up to Paradise, and heard unutterable sayings, which a man is not permitted to speak.

12:5  I will boast of such a one as this; but of myself I personally will not boast, except concerning my weaknesses.

12:6  But even if I choose to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. However, I will forbear, lest anyone think of me above what he sees me to be, or what he hears from me.

12:7  But in order that I might not be exalted by the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan to buffet me, so that I might not be exalted.

12:8  I besought the Lord three times for this, that it might depart from me;

12:9  But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you; for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, most gladly will I boast in my weaknesses that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

12:10  For this reason, I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

12:11  I have become a fool in this boasting. You have forced me to do so, when I ought to have been commended by you. For in no way was I inferior to those highly exalted so-called apostles—even if I am nothing.

12:12  Indeed, the signs of an apostle were demonstrated by me in all patience, in signs and wonders and miracles among you.

12:13  For in what way was it that you were inferior to the other churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong.

12:14  Behold, a third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not burden you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for the children are not obligated to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

12:15  Now I will most happily spend, and am willing to be totally spent, for your souls; although the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.

12:16  Yet even so, I did not burden you; but being crafty, I caught you with guile.

12:17  Did I make a gain of you by any of those whom I sent to you?

12:18  I urged Titus to go to you and sent with him our brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit and in the same steps?

12:19  Again, do you think that we are making an excuse to you? We speak before God in Christ; and everything we do, beloved, is for your edification.

12:20  But I fear that when I come, perhaps I may find you in a state such as I do not wish, and I may be found by you such as you do not wish; that there may be strifes, jealousies, indignations, contentions, evil speakings, whisperings, puffings up, commotions;

12:21  And that when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall grieve over many of those who have already sinned, and have not repented of the uncleanness and sexual immorality and licentiousness that they have practiced.