Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians (WEB)
12: 1It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. For I will come to visions and revelations of
the Lord. 12:2I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I don't know, or
whether out of the body, I don't know; God knows), such a one caught up into the third heaven.
12:3I know such a man (whether in the body, or outside of the body, I don't know; God knows),
12:4how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a
man to utter. 12:5On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except
in my weaknesses. 12:6For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth.
But I forbear, so that no man may account of me above that which he sees in me, or hears from
me. 12:7By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted
excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I
should not be exalted excessively. 12:8Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it
might depart from me. 12:9He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made
perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of
Christ may rest on me. 12:10Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in
persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong. 12:11I have
become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for
in nothing was I behind the very best apostles, though I am nothing. 12:12Truly the signs of an
apostle were worked among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty works. 12:13For
what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, unless it is that I
myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong. 12:14Behold, this is the third time I am
ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you.
For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 12:15I will
most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?
12:16But be it so, I did not myself burden you. But, being crafty, I caught you with deception. 12:17Did
I take advantage of you by anyone of them whom I have sent to you? 12:18I exhorted Titus, and I
sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Didn't we walk in the same spirit?
Didn't we walk in the same steps? 12:19Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you?
In the sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying. 12:20For I am
afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be
found by you as you don't desire; that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of
anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, riots; 12:21that again when I come my God
would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now,
and not repented of the uncleanness and sexual immorality and lustfulness which they committed.