KJ3 Literal Translation
2 Corinthians 12
1 For commending of his apostleship, though he might glory of his wonderful revelations, 9 yet he rather chooses to glory of his infirmities, 11 blaming them for forcing him to vain boasting.
1Really, to boast is not profitable to me, for I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2I know a man in Christ fourteen years before—whether in the body, I do not know, or out of the body, I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third Heaven.
3And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know; God knows—
4that he was caught up into Paradise and heard unspeakable words which a man is not permitted to speak.
5On behalf of such a one I will boast. But I will not boast on my behalf, if not in my weaknesses.
6For if I desire to boast, I will not be foolish, for I speak the truth. But I spare, lest anyone considers me to be beyond what he sees me or hears anything from me.
7And by the pre-eminence of the revelations, that I not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, that he might buffet me, that I not exalt myself.
8Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times, that it depart from me.
9And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness. Therefore, I will rather gladly boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ might dwell on me.
10Therefore I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in calamities, in persecutions, in distresses, for the sake of Christ. For whenever I may be weak, then I am powerful.
11Boasting, I have become foolish. You compelled me. For I ought to be commended by you, for I lacked nothing of the exceedingly great apostles, even though I am nothing.
12Truly the signs of the apostle were fully worked among you in all patience, in miraculous signs, and in wonders, and by works of power.
13For what is it in which you were less than the rest of the assemblies, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong.
14Behold, I am ready to come to you a third time. And I will not burden you, for I do not seek your things, but you. For the children ought not to lay up treasure for the parents, but the parents for the children.
15But I will most gladly spend and be utterly spent for your souls, even if loving you more and more, I am loved the less.
16But let it be so, I did not burden you; but being crafty, I took you with bait.
17By any whom I have sent to you, did I take advantage of you by him?
18I begged Titus and sent the brother with him. Did Titus deceitfully covet you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?
19Again, do you think we are defending ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ, but in all things for your building up, beloved.
20For I fear lest somehow, coming, I not find you as I wish, and I be found by you such as you do not wish; lest somehow there be strifes, envyings, angers, intrigues, evil speakings, slanders, puffings up, disturbances;
21that it not be, in my having come again, my God may humble me with you, and I shall mourn many of the ones sinning before and not having repented over the uncleanness and fornication and lustfulness which they have practiced.
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