2 Corinthians 12 :: Legacy Standard Bible (LSB)

A Vision of Paradise

It is necessary^G1163 to boast^G2744, though^G3303 it is^G4851 not profitable^G4851, but I will go^G2064 on to visions^G3701 and revelations^G602 [fn]of the Lord^G2962.

2Co 12:2

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

2Co 12:3

2Co 12:3And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—

2Co 12:4

2Co 12:4was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.

2Co 12:5

2Co 12:5On behalf of such a man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in weaknesses.

2Co 12:6

2Co 12:6For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will consider me beyond what he sees in me or hears from me.

A Thorn in the Flesh

2Co 12:7

2Co 12:7Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to [fn]torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!

2Co 12:8

2Co 12:8Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me.

2Co 12:9

2Co 12:9And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

2Co 12:10

2Co 12:10Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with [fn]insults, with distresses, with persecutions and hardships, for the sake of Christ, for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Concern for the Corinthian Church

2Co 12:11

I have become^G1096 foolish^G878; you yourselves^G4771 compelled^G315 me. For^G1063 I ought^G3784 to have been commended^G4921 by you, for in no^G3762 respect^G3762 was^G5302 I inferior^G5302 to the [fn]most-eminent^G6088 apostles^G652, even^G2532 if^G1487 I am^G1510 nothing^G3762.

2Co 12:12

2Co 12:12The [fn]signs [fn]of a true apostle were worked out among you with all perseverance, by [fn]signs and wonders and [fn]miracles.

2Co 12:13

2Co 12:13For in what respect were you treated as less than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? [fn]Forgive me this wrong!

2Co 12:14

Here^G2400 for this^G3778 third^G5154 time^G5154 I am^G2192 ready^G2093 to come^G2064 to you, and I will not be^G2655 a^G2655 burden^G2655 to^G2655 you; for I do not seek^G2212 what is yours^G4771, but you. For children^G5043 ought^G3784 not to save^G2343 up^G2343 for their parents^G1118, but parents^G1118 for their children^G5043.

2Co 12:15

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

2Co 12:16

2Co 12:16But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself. Nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit.

2Co 12:17

2Co 12:17Have I taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you?

2Co 12:18

2Co 12:18I encouraged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Did we not walk [fn]in the same spirit—in the very same steps?

2Co 12:19

All^G3819 this^G3819 time^G3819 [fn]you think^G1380 we are defending^G626 ourselves to you. We speak^G2980 in Christ^G5547 in^G2713 the^G2713 sight^G2713 of God^G2316. And all^G3956 these things^G3956, beloved^G27, are for your building^G3619 up^G3619.

2Co 12:20

2Co 12:20For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances.

2Co 12:21

2Co 12:21I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality which they have practiced.