2 Corinthians 12
1It is necessary to boast. While it is not beneficial, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2I know a man in Christ who, fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or outside the body I do not know, God knows—was snatched up as far as the third heaven. 3And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— 4was snatched into Paradise and heard inexpressible words that no human is permitted to speak. 5On behalf of such a man I will boast, but on behalf of myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.
6For if I should wish to boast, I will not be a fool, because I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so that no one might credit me with more than what they see in me or hear from me, 7especially because of the extraordinary nature of these revelations. Therefore, so that I might not be too elated, a stake was given to me in my flesh, a messenger of Satan to beat me, so that I might not be too elated. 8Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it might leave me. 9But he has said to me, “My favor is enough for you; for power is completed in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ might spread its tent over me. 10For this reason I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with catastrophes, with persecutions and difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am powerful.
11I have become a fool—you forced me to it! For I ought to have been commended by you. Indeed, I was in no way inferior to these “super-apostles,” even if I am nothing. 12The signs of the apostle were produced among you with total endurance, by signs and wonders and acts of power. 13For in what way were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a dead weight to you? Forgive me this injustice!
14Look, for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a dead weight; for I do not seek what is yours, but you. For children ought not to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15I will most gladly spend and be utterly spent for the sake of your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I to be loved less? 16But let it be; I did not weigh you down. Yet, being “crafty,” did I “trap you with a trick”? 17Did I take advantage of you through any of those I sent to you? 18I urged Titus to go and I sent the brother with him; Titus did not take advantage of you, did he? Did we not walk in the same spirit? In the same tracks?
19Have you been thinking all this time that we are defending ourselves to you? We are speaking before God in Christ. Everything we do, beloved, is for your building up. 20For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may not find you such as I wish, and I may be found by you such as you do not wish—that there may perhaps be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, slanders, gossip, puffs of pride, and disorders. 21I am afraid that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I will have to mourn many of those who previously sinned and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery which they practiced.