2 Corinthians 12

1I have to keep bragging, even though there is nothing to gain by it. So I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.

2I know a man in Christ. Fourteen years ago, God snatched him up to the highest heaven! Was he inside his body or outside his body? I do not know. Only God knows!

3God carried this man straight into Paradise.

4He heard incredible sacred things that human words are not allowed to tell.

5I will brag about a man like that, but I will not brag about myself, except about my weaknesses.

6Even if I did want to brag, I would not be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I hold back, so that no one will think more of me than what they see in me or hear from me.

7God gave me wonderful, glorious revelations. To keep me from becoming arrogant, God gave me a sharp thorn in my flesh. It was a tormenting messenger sent from Satan to beat down my pride!

8Three different times I begged the Lord to remove this agony.

9But the Lord answered me: My grace is all you need! My divine power works best in your human weakness. So now I brag gladly about my physical weaknesses! That way, the mighty power of Christ can rest over me like a shield.

10That is why, for Christ's sake, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, troubles, and difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

11I have made a fool of myself, but you made me do it. You should have been the ones speaking well of me. For I am not in any way less than those super-apostles, even though I am nothing.

12The marks of a true apostle — signs, wonders, and miracles — were done among you with great patience.

13How were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

14Now I am ready to visit you for the third time. And I will still refuse to be a financial burden to you! I do not want your money; I want your hearts! Children should not have to save up money for their parents. Parents should save up money to take care of their children!

15So I will very gladly spend everything I have, and even spend myself, for you. If I love you more, will you love me less?

16Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you. But, you say, I was tricky and trapped you by trickery!

17Did I take advantage of you through any of the people I sent to you?

18I urged Titus to go to you, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit and follow the same path?

19Have you been thinking all this time that we are just defending ourselves to you? We speak before God, as those who belong to Christ. And everything we do, dear friends, is to build you up.

20I fear what I might find when I arrive. I might not find you living the way I hope! I dread finding bitter arguing, jealousy, raging anger, and selfish ambition. I fear finding slander, ugly gossip, arrogant pride, and complete disorder!

21I fear that my God will humble me before you again. My heart will break over many who fell into gross sin. They have still not repented of their dirty lust, sexual sin, and wild living!