2 Corinthians 12

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 I must boast; not that it is profitable, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.	1 If it is necessary (though certainly not expedient) to glory, then I will next tell of visions and revelations from the Lord.
2 I know someone in Christ who, fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows), was caught up to the third heaven.	2 I know a man in Christ, who, more than fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I do not know, or out of the body, I do not know: God knows), was enraptured to the third heaven.
3 And I know that this person (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows)	3 And I know a certain man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I do not know: God knows),
4 was caught up into Paradise and heard ineffable things, which no one may utter.	4 who was enraptured into Paradise. And he heard words of mystery, which it is not permitted for man to speak.
5 About this person I will boast, but about myself I will not boast, except about my weaknesses.	5 On behalf of someone like this, I will glory. But on behalf of myself, I will not glory about anything, except my infirmities.
6 Although if I should wish to boast, I would not be foolish, for I would be telling the truth. But I refrain, so that no one may think more of me than what he sees in me or hears from me	6 For even though I am willing to glory, I will not be foolish. But I will speak the truth. Yet I will do so sparingly, lest anyone may consider me to be anything more than what he sees in me, or anything more than what he hears from me.
7 because of the abundance of the revelations. Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated.	7 And lest the greatness of the revelations should extol me, there was given to me a prodding in my flesh: an angel of Satan, who struck me repeatedly.
8 Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me,	8 Because of this, three times I petitioned the Lord that it might be taken away from me.
9 but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.	9 And he said to me: “My grace is sufficient for you. For virtue is perfected in weakness.” And so, willingly shall I glory in my weaknesses, so that the virtue of Christ may live within me.
10 Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.	10 Because of this, I am pleased in my infirmity: in reproaches, in difficulties, in persecutions, in distresses, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am powerful.
11 I have been foolish. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I am in no way inferior to these "superapostles," even though I am nothing.	11 I have become foolish; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you. For I have been nothing less than those who claim to be above the measure of Apostles, even though I am nothing.
12 The signs of an apostle were performed among you with all endurance, signs and wonders, and mighty deeds.	12 And the seal of my Apostleship has been set over you, with all patience, with signs and wonders and miracles.
13 In what way were you less privileged than the rest of the churches, except that on my part I did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!	13 For what is there that you have had which is less than the other churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this injury.
14 Now I am ready to come to you this third time. And I will not be a burden, for I want not what is yours, but you. Children ought not to save for their parents, but parents for their children.	14 Behold, this is the third time I have prepared to come to you, and yet I will not be a burden to you. For I am seeking not the things that are yours, but you yourselves. And neither should the children store up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
15 I will most gladly spend and be utterly spent for your sakes. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?	15 And so, very willingly, I will spend and exhaust myself for the sake of your souls, loving you more, while being loved less.
16 But granted that I myself did not burden you, yet I was crafty and got the better of you by deceit.	16 And so be it. I have not burdened you, but instead, being astute, I obtained you by guile.
17 Did I take advantage of you through any of those I sent to you?	17 And yet, did I defraud you by means of any of those whom I sent to you?
18 I urged Titus to go and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? And in the same steps?	18 I asked for Titus, and I sent a brother with him. Did Titus defraud you? Did we not walk with the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?
19 Have you been thinking all along that we are defending ourselves before you? In the sight of God we are speaking in Christ, and all for building you up, beloved.	19 Have you ever thought that we should explain ourselves to you? We speak in the sight of God, in Christ. But all things, most beloved, are for your edification.
20 For I fear that when I come I may find you not such as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish; that there may be rivalry, jealousy, fury, selfishness, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.	20 Yet I fear, lest perhaps, when I have arrived, I might not find you such as I would want, and I might be found by you, such as you would not want. For perhaps there may be among you: contention, envy, animosity, dissension, detraction, whispering, self-exaltation, and rebellion.
21 I fear that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, immorality, and licentiousness they practiced.	21 If so, then, when I have arrived, God may again humble me among you. And so, I mourn for the many who sinned beforehand, and did not repent, over the lust and fornication and homosexuality, which they have committed.