2Cor 12 | ABEn | STEP | To boast indeed is not an advantage to me; for I will come unto apparitions and revelations of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 12

CHAPTER 12 Paul Boasts in His Weakness

1 To boast indeed is not an advantage to me; for I will come unto apparitions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ [³ago ²years ¹fourteen], (whether in body, I do not know; or whether outside the body, I do not know, God knows) being seized by force was such a one unto the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man, (whether in the body, or whether outside the body, I do not know, God knows), 4 that he was seized by force into paradise, and heard [²not made known ¹sayings], which is not allowed for a man to speak. 5 Concerning such a one I will boast, but concerning myself I shall not boast, unless in my weaknesses. 6 For if I should want to boast, I will not be a fool; [³the truth ¹for ²I shall speak]. But I spare, lest anyone should consider me above what he sees me to be, or hears anything of me. 7 And [⁴over the ⁵excess ⁶of the ⁷revelations ¹so that ²I should not ³be elevated], there was given to me a barb in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, that he should buffet me, that I should not be elevated. 8 For this three times [²the ³Lord ¹I appealed to] that it should abstain from me. 9 And he has said to me, Sufficient to you is my favor. For my power [²in ³weakness ¹is perfected]. Most gladly then rather I will boast in my weaknesses, that [⁵should set up tent ⁶over ⁷me ¹the ²power ³of the ⁴Christ]. 10 Therefore I think well in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in straits for Christ. For whenever I should be weak, then I am mighty. 11 I have become a fool boasting -- you compelled me. For I ought by you to be commended; for in nothing was I lacking of the more exceeding apostles, if even I am nothing. 12 Indeed the signs of the apostle were worked among you in all endurance, in signs, and miracles, and works of power. 13 For in what is it that you were inferior beyond the rest of the assemblies, unless that I myself was not lax of you? Grant me this injustice! 14 Behold, a third time readily I have come to you, and I will not be lax of you. For I do not seek the things of yours, but you. [⁵not ¹For ⁴ought ²the ³children ⁷for the ⁸parents ⁶to treasure up], but the parents for the children. 15 And I most gladly will spend and expend for your souls, if even more exceedingly loving you, [²less ¹I be loved]. 16 But let it be! I did not burden you; but being clever, in cunning I took you. 17 Did by any whom I sent to you, through him take advantage of you? 18 I appealed to Titus, and sent along with him the brother. [⁴in anything ²take advantage ³of you ¹Did Titus]? [²not ⁴by the ⁵same ⁶spirit ¹Do we ³walk]? Not in the same tracks? 19 Again, do you think that to you we make a defense? Before God in Christ we speak. But all things, beloved, is for your edification. 20 For I fear perhaps having come [³not ⁴as ⁵I want ¹I should find ²you]; and I should be found by you such as you want not; lest perhaps there be strife, jealousies, rages, contentions, evil speakings, whisperings, inflation of minds, commotions; 21 lest again having come [²should humble me ¹my God] as to you, and I should mourn much of the ones previously sinning, and not having repented over the uncleanness and harlotry and lewdness which they practiced.