CPDV - II Corinthians - 12

12:1  If it is necessary (though certainly not expedient) to glory, then I will next tell of visions and revelations from the Lord.

12:2  I know a man in Christ, who, more than fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I do not know, or out of the body, I do not know: God knows), was enraptured to the third heaven.

12:3  And I know a certain man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I do not know: God knows),

12:4  who was enraptured into Paradise. And he heard words of mystery, which it is not permitted for man to speak.

12:5  On behalf of someone like this, I will glory. But on behalf of myself, I will not glory about anything, except my infirmities.

12:6  For even though I am willing to glory, I will not be foolish. But I will speak the truth. Yet I will do so sparingly, lest anyone may consider me to be anything more than what he sees in me, or anything more than what he hears from me.

12:7  And lest the greatness of the revelations should extol me, there was given to me a prodding in my flesh: an angel of Satan, who struck me repeatedly.

12:8  Because of this, three times I petitioned the Lord that it might be taken away from me.

12:9  And he said to me: “My grace is sufficient for you. For virtue is perfected in weakness.” And so, willingly shall I glory in my weaknesses, so that the virtue of Christ may live within me.

12:10  Because of this, I am pleased in my infirmity: in reproaches, in difficulties, in persecutions, in distresses, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am powerful.

12:11  I have become foolish; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you. For I have been nothing less than those who claim to be above the measure of Apostles, even though I am nothing.

12:12  And the seal of my Apostleship has been set over you, with all patience, with signs and wonders and miracles.

12:13  For what is there that you have had which is less than the other churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this injury.

12:14  Behold, this is the third time I have prepared to come to you, and yet I will not be a burden to you. For I am seeking not the things that are yours, but you yourselves. And neither should the children store up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

12:15  And so, very willingly, I will spend and exhaust myself for the sake of your souls, loving you more, while being loved less.

12:16  And so be it. I have not burdened you, but instead, being astute, I obtained you by guile.

12:17  And yet, did I defraud you by means of any of those whom I sent to you?

12:18  I asked for Titus, and I sent a brother with him. Did Titus defraud you? Did we not walk with the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?

12:19  Have you ever thought that we should explain ourselves to you? We speak in the sight of God, in Christ. But all things, most beloved, are for your edification.

12:20  Yet I fear, lest perhaps, when I have arrived, I might not find you such as I would want, and I might be found by you, such as you would not want. For perhaps there may be among you: contention, envy, animosity, dissension, detraction, whispering, self-exaltation, and rebellion.

12:21  If so, then, when I have arrived, God may again humble me among you. And so, I mourn for the many who sinned beforehand, and did not repent, over the lust and fornication and homosexuality, which they have committed.