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2 Corinthians 12 :: Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

Sufficient Grace
2Co 12:1

Boasting is necessary. It is not profitable, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2Co 12:2

I know a man in Christ who was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know; God knows.

2Co 12:3

I know that this man ​— ​whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know; God knows ​— ​

2Co 12:4

was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a human being is not allowed to speak.

2Co 12:5

I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses.

2Co 12:6

For if I want to boast, I wouldn’t be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me,

2Co 12:7

especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself.

2Co 12:8

Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me.

2Co 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.”

Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.

2Co 12:10

So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Signs of an Apostle
2Co 12:11

I have been a fool; you forced it on me. You ought to have commended me, since I am not in any way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.

2Co 12:12

The signs of an apostle were performed with unfailing endurance among you, including signs and wonders and miracles.

2Co 12:13

So in what way are you worse off than the other churches, except that I personally did not burden you? Forgive me for this wrong!

Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians
2Co 12:14

Look, I am ready to come to you this third time. I will not burden you, since I am not seeking what is yours, but you. For children ought not save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

2Co 12:15

I will most gladly spend and be spent for you.[fn] If I love you more, am I to be loved less?

2Co 12:16

Now granted, I did not burden you; yet sly as I am, I took you in by deceit!

2Co 12:17

Did I take advantage of you by any of those I sent you?

2Co 12:18

I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus didn’t take advantage of you, did he? Didn’t we walk in the same spirit and in the same footsteps?

2Co 12:19

Have you been thinking all along that we were defending ourselves to you? No, in the sight of God we are speaking in Christ, and everything, dear friends, is for building you up.

2Co 12:20

For I fear that perhaps when I come I will not find you to be what I want, and you may not find me to be what you want. Perhaps there will be quarreling, jealousy, angry outbursts, selfish ambitions, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.

2Co 12:21

I fear that when I come my God will again[fn] humiliate me in your presence, and I will grieve for many who sinned before and have not repented of the moral impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality they practiced.

CSB Footnotes
Lit for your souls, or for your lives
Or come again my God will
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2 Corinthians Chapter 12 — Additional Translations: