1898 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
2 Corinthians 12
1 For commending of his apostleship, though he might glory of his wonderful revelations, 9 yet he rather chooseth to glory of his infirmities, 11 blaming them for forcing him to this vain boasting. 14 He promiseth to come to them again: but yet altogether in the affection of a father, 20 although he feareth he shall to his grief find many offenders and publick disorders there.
12:1 ¶
To boast, really, is not profitable for me, for I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
12:2
I have known a man in Christ, fourteen years ago—whether in the body I have not known, whether out of the body I have not known, God hath known—such an one being caught away unto the third heaven;
12:3
and I have known such a man—whether in the body, whether out of the body, I have not known, God hath known,—
12:4
that he was caught away to the paradise, and heard unutterable sayings, that it is not possible for man to speak.
12:5
Of such an one I will boast, and of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities,
12:6
for if I may wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for truth I will say; but I forebear, lest any one in regard to me may think anything above what he doth see me, or doth hear anything of me;
12:7
and that by the exceeding greatness of the revelations I might not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of the Adversary, that he might buffet me, that I might not be exalted overmuch.
12:8
Concerning this thing thrice the Lord did I call upon, that it might depart from me,
12:9
and He said to me, 'Sufficient for thee is My grace, for My power in infirmity is perfected;' most gladly, therefore, will I rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of the Christ may rest on me:
12:10
wherefore I am well pleased in infirmities, in damages, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses—for Christ; for whenever I am infirm, then I am powerful;
12:11
I have become a fool—boasting; ye—ye did compel me; for I ought by you to have been commended, for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles—even if I am nothing.
12:12
The signs, indeed, of the apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds,
12:13
for what is there in which ye were inferior to the rest of the assemblies, except that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this injustice!
12:14
Lo, a third time I am ready to come unto you, and I will not be a burden to you, for I seek not yours, but you, for the children ought not for the parents to lay up, but the parents for the children,
12:15
and I most gladly will spend and be entirely spent for your souls, even if, more abundantly loving you, less I am loved.
12:16
And be it [so], I—I did not burden you, but being crafty, with guile I did take you;
12:17
any one of those whom I have sent unto you—by him did I take advantage of you?
12:18
I entreated Titus, and did send with [him] the brother; did Titus take advantage of you? in the same spirit did we not walk?—did we not in the same steps?
12:19
Again, think ye that to you we are making defence? before God in Christ do we speak; and the all things, beloved, [are] for your up-building,
12:20
for I fear lest, having come, not such as I wish I may find you, and I—I may be found by you such as ye do not wish, lest there be strifes, envyings, wraths, revelries, evil-speakings, whisperings, puffings up, insurrections,
12:21
lest again having come, my God may humble me in regard to you, and I may bewail many of those having sinned before, and not having reformed concerning the uncleanness, and whoredom, and lasciviousness, that they did practise.
