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2 Corinthians 12 :: New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB95)

Paul's Vision

2Co 12:1

2Co 12:1Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations [fn]of the Lord.

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 regard to my 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 credit me with more than 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 implored 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 [fn]about 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, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

2Co 12:11

2Co 12:11I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the [fn]most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody.

2Co 12:12

2Co 12:12The [fn]signs [fn]of a true apostle were performed 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 inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

2Co 12:14

2Co 12:14Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

2Co 12:15

2Co 12:15I will most gladly spend and be expended 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 12:17Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I?

2Co 12:18

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

2Co 12:19

2Co 12:19All this time [fn]you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, 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 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, angry tempers, disputes, 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, [fn]immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.
See the NASB95 Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).
NASB95 Footnotes
Or, from
Literally: beat
Literally: in
Or, mistreatment
Or, super-apostles
Or, attesting miracles
Literally: of the apostle
Or, works of power
Literally: walk
Or, by the same Spirit
Or, have you been thinking...?
I.e. sexual immorality
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