2 Corinthians 12 - Amplified Bible(AMP)

Paul’s Vision

1It is necessary to boast, though nothing is gained by it; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

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.

3And I know that such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—

4was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words which man is not permitted to speak.

5On behalf of such a man I will boast; but in my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses.

6If I wish to boast, I will not be foolish, because I will be speaking the truth. But I abstain, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.

A Thorn in the Flesh

7Because of the surpassing greatness and extraordinary nature of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from thinking of myself as important, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, to torment and harass me—to keep me from exalting myself!

8Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me;

9but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you; for power is being perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

10So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

11Now I have become foolish; you have forced me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for I was not inferior to those super-apostles, even if I am nobody.

12The signs that indicate a genuine apostle were performed among you fully and most patiently—signs and wonders and miracles.

13For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I did not burden you? Forgive me this injustice!

14Now for the third time I am ready to visit you. I will not burden you, because I do not want what is yours, but you. For children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

15But I will very gladly spend and be utterly spent for your souls. If I love you greatly, am I to be loved less?

16But be that as it may, I did not burden you. But I was sly and took you by trickery.

17Did I take advantage of you or make any money off you through any of the messengers I sent you?

18I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps?

19All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and everything, dearly beloved, is to strengthen you.

20For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you not to be as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder;

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 decadence which they formerly practiced.