1902 Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR)

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 be boasting, is needful,—it is not, indeed, profitable, yet will I come to visions and revelations of [the] Lord:—

 12:2 I know a man in Christ, who, fourteen years ago, whether in the body, I know not, or out of the body, I know not, God, knoweth, such a one as this, caught away, as far as the third heaven;

 12:3 And I know such a man as this, whether in the body or apart from the body, [I know not],—God, knoweth,

 12:4 How that he was caught away into paradise, and heard unspeakable things, which it is not allowable for a man to utter:

 12:5 On behalf of such a one as this, will I boast, but, on behalf of myself, will I not boast, save in my weaknesses;—

 12:6 Although in fact, if I should wish to boast, I shall not be foolish, for, the truth, would I speak; but I forbear, lest anyone, unto me, should reckon above what he beholdeth me [to be], or heareth from me,—even by the exceeding greatness of the revelations.

 12:7 Wherefore, lest I should be unduly lifted up, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, that he might buffet me,—lest I should be unduly lifted up.

 12:8 In this behalf, thrice, besought I, the Lord, that it might depart from me;

 12:9 And at once he said unto me—Sufficient for thee, is my favour, for, my power, in weakness, is made complete. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may spread a tent over me.

 12:10 Wherefore, I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, and straits, in behalf of Christ; for, as soon as I am weak, then, am powerful.

 12:11 ¶ I have become foolish,—ye, compelled me:—I, in fact, ought, by you, to have been commended; for, not a whit, have I come behind the exceeding overmuch apostles,—even if I am nothing:

 12:12 The signs, indeed, of an apostle, were wrought out among you, in all endurance,—[both] in signs, and wonders, and mighty works:

 12:13 For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies,—save that, I myself, would not allow myself to be a burden unto you? Forgive me this wrong!

 12:14 Lo! this third time, I am holding myself, in readiness, to come unto you, and I will not allow myself to be a burden; for I seek not yours, but you;—for, the children, ought not to lay up, for the parents, but the parents for the children;—

 12:15 And, I, most gladly, will spend, and be fully spent, for your souls:—If I, exceedingly, love you, am I, the less, loved?

 12:16 But let it be!—I, myself, did not burden you,—Notwithstanding, being crafty, with guile, I caught you?

 12:17 Was there, anyone of those whom I have sent unto you, through whom I have overreached you?

 12:18 I exhorted Titus, and sent with him the brother,—Did, Titus, overreach you? Was it not, in the same spirit, we walked? Was it not, in the same steps?

 12:19 All this time, think ye, that, unto you, we are making a defence? Before God in Christ, we speak;—but all these things, beloved, for your upbuilding.

 12:20 For I fear—lest, by any means, when I come, not such as I wish, should I find you, and, I, should be found by you, such as ye do not wish;—lest, by any means, [I should find] strife, jealousy, outbursts of wrath, factions, railings, whisperings, puffed up pretensions, confusions;—

 12:21 Lest, when I again come, my God should humble me in regard to you,—and I should grieve over many who had before sinned, and not repented of the impurity, and fornication, and wantonness which they had committed.