Open English Translation 2COR Chapter 12

12 It’s not appropriate or beneficial to be boasting, so I’ll come to the visions and revelations from the master.[fn] 2 Fourteen years ago I observed a man who was a believer in Messiah who was pulled up to the third heaven. (I didn’t know whether this physically happened or just in the spiritual realm.) 3 And I know that man (God only knows if it was in the physical or just the spiritual realm) 4 was pulled up into paradise and heard messages which can’t be put into words (because living people aren’t allow to speak them). 5 I’m prepared to boast about that man, but I won’t boast about myself because I won’t boast at all except about my weaknesses, 6 because even if I did want to boast, I wouldn’t be being foolish, because I would be speaking the truth. But I’ll refrain in case anyone reckons that I’m more than what they can see or hear about me.

7 So to keep my head from getting too big because of those incredible revelations, I was given a ‘thorn’ in my body—Satan’s messenger to harass me and keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I begged the master that it might leave me 9 and he told me, “Is my grace good enough for you? My power reaches its conclusion through weakness.” Therefore I’ll quite gladly boast about my weaknesses so that the messiah’s power can take residence in me. 10 So then I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults and hardships, in persecutions and distresses for Messiah because whenever I might be faltering, that’s when I’m powerful.

11 You have forced me to become foolish, because I should have been commended by you all because I’m no less than those ‘super missionaries’ even if I am just ‘nothing’. 12 Indeed, I persevered to deliver missionary results among you all, as well as signs, wonders, and miracles. 13 In what way were you all treated less than the rest of the assemblies, except that I didn’t load you with any burdens? Forgive me for this mistake.

14 Now listen, I’m ready to visit you all for the third time and I won’t be aiming to burden you down because I’m not after what you have, but rather my interest is in you yourselves. The children shouldn’t be saving to support the parents, but the parents should support the children. 15 I’m happy to invest everything I have, including all of myself, for the sake of your souls. Am I being loved less the more that I love you all?

16 So that’s that. I’m didn’t burden you all, but being crafty by nature, I took you all by trickery. 17 Did any of those that I sent to you exploit you all? 18 I urged Titos to go there along with another believer. Surely Titos must have exploited you all? No, didn’t we all do the same things as guided by the same spirit.

19 Now you’re already supposing that we’re defending ourselves? Actually, we’re speaking as followers of Messiah knowing that God is watching, and dear friends, everything has been with the aim of building you up. 20 You see, I’m worried that when I come, I might not find you living how I’d want, and you all might not find me how you’d want. I’m worried that I might find strife and jealousy, anger and selfish ambition, slander and gossip, and conceit and disturbances. 21 I’m worried that when I come, God will humble me there with you all, and I might be upset about many who’ve sinned in the past and haven’t repented from the impurity and sexual immorality and self-centred living that they practiced.