 |  | 2 Corinthians 12 |  |  |
| |||||||
 | ||||
Paul’s Vision | ||||
 NASB | KJV | GWT | WEB | DBY |
| 1 Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. | 1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. | 1 I must brag, although it doesn't do any good. I'll go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. | 1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. For I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. | 1 Well, it is not of profit to me to boast, for I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. | 2 I 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. | 2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. | 2 I know a follower of Christ who was snatched away to the third heaven fourteen years ago. I don't know whether this happened to him physically or spiritually. Only God knows. | 2 I 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. | 2 I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago, (whether in the body I know not, or out of the body I know not, God knows;) such a one caught up to the third heaven. | 3 And I know how such a man-- whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows-- | 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) | 3 I know that this person | 3 I know such a man (whether in the body, or outside of the body, I don't know; God knows), | 3 And I know such a man, (whether in the body or out of the body I know not, God knows;) | 4 was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. | 4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. | 4 was snatched away to paradise where he heard things that can't be expressed in words, things that humans cannot put into words. I don't know whether this happened to him physically or spiritually. Only God knows. | 4 how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. | 4 that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable things said which it is not allowed to man to utter. | 5 On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. | 5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. | 5 I'll brag about this person, but I won't brag about myself unless it's about my weaknesses. | 5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses. | 5 Of such a one I will boast, but of myself I will not boast, unless in my weaknesses. | NASB | KJV | GWT | WEB | DBY |
| 6 For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me. | 6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. | 6 If I ever wanted to brag, I wouldn't be a fool. Instead, I would be telling the truth. But I'm going to spare you so that no one may think more of me than what he sees or hears about me, | 6 For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, so that no man may think more of me than that which he sees in me, or hears from me. | 6 For if I shall desire to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth; but I forbear, lest any one should think as to me above what he sees me to be, or whatever he may hear of me. | A Thorn in the Flesh |
| 7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me-- to keep me from exalting myself! | 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. | 7 especially because of the excessive number of revelations that I've had. Therefore, to keep me from becoming conceited, I am forced to deal with a recurring problem. That problem, Satan's messenger, torments me to keep me from being conceited. | 7 By 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 torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively. | 7 And that I might not be exalted by the exceeding greatness of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn for the flesh, a messenger of Satan that he might buffet me, that I might not be exalted. | 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. | 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. | 8 I begged the Lord three times to take it away from me. | 8 Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me. | 8 For this I thrice besought the Lord that it might depart from me. | 9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. | 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. | 9 But he told me: "My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak." So I will brag even more about my weaknesses in order that Christ's power will live in me. | 9 He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me. | 9 And he said to me, My grace suffices thee; for my power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of the Christ may dwell upon me. | 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. | 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. | 10 Therefore, I accept weakness, mistreatment, hardship, persecution, and difficulties suffered for Christ. It's clear that when I'm weak, I'm strong. | 10 Therefore 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. | 10 Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in straits, for Christ: for when I am weak, then I am powerful. | NASB | KJV | GWT | WEB | DBY |
| 11 I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody. | 11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. | 11 I have become a fool. You forced me to be one. You should have recommended me to others. Even if I'm nothing, I wasn't inferior in any way to your super-apostles. | 11 I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing. | 11 I have become a fool; ye have compelled me; for I ought to have been commended by you; for I have been nothing behind those who were in surpassing degree apostles, if also I am nothing. | 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles. | 12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. | 12 While I was among you I patiently did the signs, wonders, and miracles which prove that I'm an apostle. | 12 Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty works. | 12 The signs indeed of the apostle were wrought among you in all endurance, signs, and wonders, and works of power. | 13 For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong! | 13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong. | 13 How were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I didn't bother you for help? Forgive me for this wrong! | 13 For 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. | 13 For in what is it that ye have been inferior to the other assemblies, unless that I myself have not been in laziness a charge upon you? Forgive me this injury. | 14 Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. | 14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not your's but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. | 14 I'm ready to visit you for a third time, and I won't bother you for help. I don't want your possessions. Instead, I want you. Children shouldn't have to provide for their parents, but parents should provide for their children. | 14 Behold, 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. | 14 Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be in laziness a charge; for I do not seek yours, but you; for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. | 15 I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? | 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. | 15 I will be very glad to spend whatever I have. I'll even give myself for you. Do you love me less because I love you so much? | 15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less? | 15 Now I shall most gladly spend and be utterly spent for your souls, if even in abundantly loving you I should be less loved. | NASB | KJV | GWT | WEB | DBY |
| 16 But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit. | 16 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. | 16 You agree, then, that I haven't been a burden to you. Was I a clever person who trapped you by some trick? | 16 But be it so, I did not myself burden you. But, being crafty, I caught you with deception. | 16 But be it so. I did not burden you, but being crafty I took you by guile. | 17 Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I? | 17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? | 17 Did I take advantage of you through any of the men I sent you? | 17 Did I take advantage of you by anyone of them whom I have sent to you? | 17 Did I make gain of you by any of those whom I have sent to you? | 18 I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps? | 18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps? | 18 I encouraged Titus to visit you, and I sent my friend with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Didn't we have the same motives and do things the same way? | 18 I 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? | 18 I begged Titus, and sent the brother with him: did Titus at all make gain of you? have we not walked in the same spirit? have we not in the same steps? | 19 All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved. | 19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. | 19 Have you been thinking all along that we're trying to defend ourselves to you? We speak as Christ's people in God's sight. Everything we do, dear friends, is for your benefit. | 19 Again, 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. | 19 Ye have long been supposing that we excuse ourselves to you: we speak before God in Christ; and all things, beloved, for your building up. | 20 For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances; | 20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: | 20 I'm afraid that I may come and find you different from what I want you to be, and that you may find me different from what you want me to be. I'm afraid that there may be rivalry, jealousy, hot tempers, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly conduct. | 20 For 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; | 20 For I fear lest perhaps coming I find you not such as I wish, and that I be found by you such as ye do not wish: lest there might be strifes, jealousies, angers, contentions, evil speakings, whisperings, puffings up, disturbances; | NASB | KJV | GWT | WEB | DBY |
| 21 I 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, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced. | 21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed. | 21 I'm afraid that when I come to you again, my God may humble me. I may have to grieve over many who formerly led sinful lives and have not changed the way they think and act about the perversion, sexual sins, and promiscuity in which they have been involved. | 21 that 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. | 21 lest my God should humble me as to you when I come again, and that I shall grieve over many of those who have sinned before, and have not repented as to the uncleanness and fornication and licentiousness which they have practised. |
<< 2 Corinthians 12 >> New American Standard Bible Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. GOD'S WORD is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. The World English Bible is a 1997 revision of the American Standard Version of the Holy Bible, first published in 1901. It is in the Public Domain. Please feel free to copy and distribute it freely. Thank you to Michael Paul Johnson for making this work available. For the latest information, to report corrections, or for other correspondence, visit www.ebible.org. | ||||