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2 Corinthians 12 (AMP)

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¹ TRUE, THERE is nothing to be gained by it, but to boast, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. ² I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows--was caught up to the third heaven. ³ And I know that this man--whether in the body or away from the body I do not know, God knows-- ⁴ Was caught up into paradise, and he heard utterances beyond the power of man to put into words, which man is not permitted to utter. ⁵ Of this same I will boast, but of myself (personally) I will not boast, except as regards my infirmities (my weaknesses). ⁶ Should I desire to boast, I shall not be a witless braggart, for I shall be speaking the truth. But I abstain so that no one may form a higher estimate of me than what he sees in me or hears from me. ⁷ And to keep me from being puffed up and too much elated by the exceeding greatness (preeminence) of these revelations, there was given me a thorn (a splinter) in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to rack and buffet and harass me, to keep me from being excessively exalted. ⁸ Three times I called upon the Lord and besought about this and begged that it might depart from me; ⁹ But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you ; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! ¹⁰ So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak , then am I strong (able, powerful in divine strength). ¹¹ Now I have been a fool! But you forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I have not fallen short one bit or proved myself at all inferior to those superlative apostles , even if I am nothing (a nobody). ¹² Indeed, the signs that indicate a apostle were performed among you fully and most patiently in miracles and wonders and mighty works. ¹³ For in what respect were you put to a disadvantage in comparison with the rest of the churches, unless that I myself did not burden you ? Pardon me this injustice! ¹⁴ Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not burden you , for it is not your that I want but you; for children are not duty bound to lay up store for their parents, but parents for their children. ¹⁵ But I will most gladly spend and be utterly spent for your souls. If I love you exceedingly, am I to be loved the less? ¹⁶ But though granting that I did not burden you I was crafty I cheated and got the better of you with my trickery. ¹⁷ Did I take advantage of you or make any money out of you through any of those whom I sent to you? ¹⁸ I urged Titus , and I sent the brother with . Did Titus overreach or take advantage of you ? Did he and I not act in the same spirit? Did we not same steps? ¹⁹ Have you been supposing that we have been defending ourselves and apologizing to you? in the sight and the presence of God in Christ (the Messiah) that we have been speaking, dearly beloved, and all in order to build you up . ²⁰ For I am fearful that somehow or other I may come and find you not as I desire to find you, and that you may find me too not as you want to find me--that perhaps there may be factions (quarreling), jealousy, temper (wrath, intrigues, rivalry, divided loyalties), selfishness, whispering, gossip, arrogance (self-assertion), and disorder among you. ²¹ that when I come again, my God may humiliate and humble me in your regard, and that I may have to sorrow over many of those who sinned before and have not repented of the impurity, sexual vice, and sensuality which they formerly practiced.