RKJNT - II Corinthians - 12

12:1  Though it is not profitable for me to boast, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

12:2  I knew a man in Christ who fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows;) was caught up to the third heaven.

12:3  And I know that this man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows;)

12:4  Was caught up into paradise, and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

12:5  Of such a man I will boast: yet of myself I will not boast, except of my weaknesses.

12:6  If I should desire to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I will speak the truth: but I refrain, lest any man should think of me beyond that which he sees in me, or hears from me.

12:7  And lest I should exalt myself beyond measure through the abundance of revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted beyond measure.

12:8  I begged the Lord thrice, that this might depart from me.

12:9  And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, most gladly will I boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

12:10  Therefore, for Christ's sake, I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in distresses: for when I am weak, then I am strong.

12:11  I have made a fool of myself; you have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended by you: for in nothing am I behind these superlative apostles, though I am nothing.

12:12  The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all patience, by signs, and wonders, and miracles.

12:13  For in what way were you less favoured than other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

12:14  Behold, for the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I do not seek what is yours, but you: for the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

12:15  And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I to be loved the less?

12:16  But be that as it may, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

12:17  Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you?

12:18  I urged Titus to go, and with him I sent the brother. Did Titus take advantage of you? did we not act in the same spirit and walk in the same steps?

12:19  All this time have you been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your strengthening.

12:20  For I fear that when I come, I shall not find you as I wish, and you shall not find me to be as you wish; lest perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of wrath, rivalries, slander, gossip, conceit, disorder:

12:21  And I fear that, when I come again, my God may humble me before you, and I shall mourn over many who have sinned and have not repented of the impurity and sexual sin and licentiousness which they have committed.