(KJV) 2 Corinthians 12¹

⥃Paul’s Revelation

[1] It is not expedient² for me doubtless to glory³. I will come⁴ to visions⁵ and revelations of the Lord. [2] I knew⁶ a man in Christ⁷ above⁸ fourteen years ago, (whether in the⁹ body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God¹⁰ knoweth;) such an one caught¹¹ up to the third¹² heaven. [3] And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) [4] How that he was caught up into paradise¹³, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful¹⁴ for a man to utter.

⥃Paul’s Thorn and God’s Grace

[5] Of such¹⁵ an one will I glory: yet¹⁶ of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. [6] For though I would¹⁷ desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will¹⁸ say the truth: but [now] I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that¹⁹ which he seeth me [to be], or [that] he heareth of me. [7] And lest²⁰ I should be exalted above measure through the abundance²¹ of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn²² in the flesh, the messenger²³ of Satan to buffet²⁴ me, lest I should be exalted above measure. [8] For this thing I besought²⁵ the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. [9] And he said unto me, My grace²⁶ is sufficient for²⁷ thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most²⁸ gladly therefore will I rather glory²⁹ in my infirmities, that the power³⁰ of Christ may rest upon me. [10] Therefore I take³¹ pleasure in infirmities³², in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s³³ sake: for when³⁴ I am weak, then am I strong.

⥃Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians

[11] I am become³⁵ a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in³⁶ nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though³⁷ I be nothing. [12] Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.³⁸ [13] For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except [it be] that I myself³⁹ was not burdensome to you? forgive⁴⁰ me this wrong. [14] Behold, the third⁴¹ time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I⁴² seek not yours, but you: for the⁴³ children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. [15] And I will⁴⁴ very gladly spend and be spent for you⁴⁵; though⁴⁶ the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. [16] But be it so, I did not⁴⁷ burden you: nevertheless, being⁴⁸ crafty, I caught you with guile. [17] Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?⁴⁹ [18] I desired Titus⁵⁰, and with⁵¹ [him] I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit⁵²? [walked we] not in the same steps⁵³? [19] Again, think⁵⁴ ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak⁵⁵ before God in Christ: but⁵⁶ [we do] all things, dearly⁵⁷ beloved, for your edifying. [20] For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not⁵⁸ find you such as I would, and [that⁵⁹] I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest [there be] debates⁶⁰, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings⁶¹, swellings⁶², tumults: [21] [And] lest, when I come again, my God⁶³ will humble me among you, and [that] I⁶⁴ shall bewail many which have sinned⁶⁵ already, and have not⁶⁶ repented of the uncleanness⁶⁷ and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.