2 Corinthians 12
12:1To boast indeed is not an advantage to me; for I will come unto apparitions and revelations of the Lord.
12:2I know a man in Christ fourteen years ago, (whether in body, I do not know; or whether outside the body, I do not know, God knows) being seized by force was such a one unto the third heaven.
12:3And I know such a man, (whether in the body, or whether outside the body, I do not know, God knows),
12:4that he was seized by force into paradise, and heard sayings not made known, which is not allowed for a man to speak.
12:5Concerning such a one I will boast, but concerning myself I shall not boast, unless in my weaknesses.
12:6For if I should want to boast, I will not be a fool; for I shall speak the truth. But I spare, lest anyone should consider me above what he sees me to be, or hears anything of me.
12:7And so that I should not be elevated over the excess of the revelations, there was given to me a barb in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, that he should buffet me, that I should not be elevated.
12:8For this three times I appealed to the Lord that it should abstain from me.
12:9And he has said to me, Sufficient to you is my favor. For my power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly then rather I will boast in my weaknesses, that the power of the Christ should set up tent over me.
12:10Therefore I think well in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in straits for Christ. For whenever I should be weak, then I am mighty.
12:11I have become a fool boasting -- you compelled me. For I ought by you to be commended; for in nothing was I lacking of the more exceeding apostles, if even I am nothing.
12:12Indeed the signs of the apostle were worked among you in all endurance, in signs, and miracles, and works of power.
12:13For in what is it that you were inferior beyond the rest of the assemblies, unless that I myself was not lax of you? Grant me this injustice!
12:14Behold, a third time readily I have come to you, and I will not be lax of you. For I do not seek the things of yours, but you. For the children ought not to treasure up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
12:15And I most gladly will spend and expend for your souls, if even more exceedingly loving you, I be loved less.
12:16But let it be! I did not burden you; but being clever, in cunning I took you.
12:17Did by any whom I sent to you, through him take advantage of you?
12:18I appealed to Titus, and sent along with him the brother. Did Titus take advantage of you in anything? Do we not walk by the same spirit? Not in the same tracks?
12:19Again, do you think that to you we make a defense? Before God in Christ we speak. But all things, beloved, is for your edification.
12:20For I fear perhaps having come I should find you not as I want; and I should be found by you such as you want not; lest perhaps there be strife, jealousies, rages, contentions, evil speakings, whisperings, inflation of minds, commotions;
12:21lest again having come my God should humble me as to you, and I should mourn much of the ones previously sinning, and not having repented over the uncleanness and harlotry and lewdness which they practiced.