2 Corinthians 12 :: English Standard Version (ESV)

Paul’s Visions and His Thorn

2Co 12:1I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2Co 12:2

2Co 12:2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.

2Co 12:3

2Co 12:3And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—

2Co 12:4

2Co 12:4and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.

2Co 12:5

2Co 12:5On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses—

2Co 12:6

2Co 12:6though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me.

2Co 12:7

2Co 12:7So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,[fn] a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.

2Co 12:8

2Co 12:8Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.

2Co 12:9

2Co 12:9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2Co 12:10

2Co 12:10For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Concern for the Corinthian Church

2Co 12:11

2Co 12:11I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing.

2Co 12:12

2Co 12:12The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.

2Co 12:13

2Co 12:13For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!

2Co 12:14

2Co 12:14Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

2Co 12:15

2Co 12:15I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?

2Co 12:16

2Co 12:16But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit.

2Co 12:17

2Co 12:17Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you?

2Co 12:18

2Co 12:18I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?

2Co 12:19

2Co 12:19Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved.

2Co 12:20

2Co 12:20For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.

2Co 12:21

2Co 12:21I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.

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ESV Footnotes

(12:7)

Or hears from me, even because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited

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