12:1 It is necessary to go on boasting. 1 Though it is not profitable, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 12:2 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. 12:3 And I know that this man (whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows) 12:4 was caught up into paradise 2 and heard things too sacred to be put into words, 3 things that a person 4 is not permitted to speak. 12:5 On behalf of such an individual I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except about my weaknesses. 12:6 For even if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I would be telling 5 the truth, but I refrain from this so that no one may regard 6 me beyond what he sees in me or what he hears from me, 12:7 even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore, 7 so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble 8 me – so that I would not become arrogant. 9 12:8 I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me. 12:9 But 10 he said to me, “My grace is enough 11 for you, for my 12 power is made perfect 13 in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly 14 about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in 15 me. 12:10 Therefore I am content with 16 weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties 17 for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
12:11 I have become a fool. You yourselves forced me to do it, for I should have been commended by you. For I lack nothing in comparison 18 to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. 12:12 Indeed, the signs of an apostle were performed among you with great perseverance 19 by signs and wonders and powerful deeds. 20 12:13 For how 21 were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this injustice! 12:14 Look, for the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you, because I do not want your possessions, but you. For children should not have 22 to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 12:15 Now I will most gladly spend and be spent for your lives! 23 If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 12:16 But be that as it may, I have not burdened you. Yet because I was a crafty person, I took you in by deceit!