Godbey - II Corinthians - 12

12:1  It behooves me to glory, indeed it is not profitable, I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

12:2  I knew a man in Christ, fourteen years ago, whether in the body, I know not; whether out of the body, I know not, such a one having been caught up even to the third heaven.

12:3  And I knew such a man, whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not; God knows,

12:4  that he was caught up to Paradise, and heard unutterable words, which it is impossible for a man to speak.

12:5  Concerning such a one I will glory: but concerning myself I will not glory, except in my infirmities.

12:6  For if I shall wish to glory, I will not be a fool; for I speak the truth: but I fear, lest some one may consider with reference to me above what he sees me, or hears from me.

12:7  And that I may not be exalted by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given unto me in the flesh, the messenger of Satan that he may buffet me, in order that I may not be exalted.

12:8  Three times I called on the Lord concerning this, that it may depart from me.

12:9  And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most delightfully I will glory the more in my infirmities, in order that the power of Christ may abide on me.

12:10  Therefore I delight in infirmities, in insults, in difficulties, in persecutions, and in tight places, for Christ's sake: for when I am without strength, then I am dynamite.

12:11  I have become a fool: you did compel me. For I ought to be commended by you: for I am not inferior to the very chief of the apostles, if indeed I am nothing.

12:12  For indeed the signs of the apostleship are wrought in me in all patience, in miracles and in wonders and in dynamites.

12:13  For what is that in which you are inferior to other churches, except that I did not burden you? forgive me this wrong.

12:14  Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not spare: for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up treasures for the parents, but the parents for the children,

12:15  But I will most delightfully spend and be spent for your souls. If the more abundantly I love you am I loved the less?

12:16  But let it he so, I did not burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

12:17  Which one of those whom I sent unto you, did I fleece you through him?

12:18  I called Titus, and sent the brother along with him: whether did Titus defraud you? did we not walk by the same Spirit? did we not in the same tracks?

12:19  For a long time you were thinking that I am apologizing to you. We speak before God in Christ; but all things, beloved, are for your edification.

12:20  For I fear lest, having come, I may not find you as I wish, and may not be found by you as you wish; lest perhaps strife, jealousy, animosities, selfseekings, calumniations, eavesdroppings, inflations, outfallings, are among you;

12:21  lest, I again having come, my God will humble me before you, and I will mourn over many of those having previously committed sins, and not having repented over the uncleanness and the fornication and debauchery which they have done.