2 Corinthians 12:7-19
New American Standard Bible
A Thorn in the Flesh
7 Because of the extraordinary greatness of the (A)revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a (B)thorn in the flesh, a (C)messenger of Satan to [a]torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord (D)three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for (E)power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather (F)boast [b]about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore (G)I delight in weaknesses, in [c]insults, in (H)distresses, in (I)persecutions, in (J)difficulties, (K)in behalf of Christ; for (L)when I am weak, then I am strong.
11 I have become (M)foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, since I was (N)in no respect inferior to the [d]most eminent apostles, even though (O)I am a nobody. 12 The (P)distinguishing marks [e]of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by [f]signs, wonders, and [g]miracles. 13 For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that (Q)I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me (R)this wrong!
14 Here (S)for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I (T)will not be a burden to you; for I (U)do not seek what is yours, but (V)you; for (W)children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but (X)parents for their children. 15 I will (Y)most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If (Z)I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But be that as it may, I (AA)did not burden you myself; nevertheless, devious person that I am, I (AB)took you in by deceit. 17 (AC)Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I? 18 I (AD)urged (AE)Titus to go, and I sent (AF)the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not [h]conduct ourselves [i]in the same (AG)spirit and walk (AH)in the same steps?
19 All this time [j]you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, (AI)it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and (AJ)all for building you up, (AK)beloved.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 2 Corinthians 12:7 Lit beat
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 Lit in
- 2 Corinthians 12:10 Or mistreatment
- 2 Corinthians 12:11 Or super-apostles
- 2 Corinthians 12:12 Lit of the apostle
- 2 Corinthians 12:12 Or confirming miracles
- 2 Corinthians 12:12 Or works of power
- 2 Corinthians 12:18 Lit walk
- 2 Corinthians 12:18 Or by the same Spirit
- 2 Corinthians 12:19 Or have you been thinking...?
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