2 Corinthians 12:7-20

English Standard Version

⁷ So ^(A)to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,^{[a] (B)}a thorn was given me in the flesh, ^(C)a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. ^8 (D)Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. ⁹ But he said to me, ^(E)“My grace is sufficient for you, for ^(F)my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that ^(G)the power of Christ may rest upon me. ^10 (H)For the sake of Christ, then, ^(I)I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For ^(J)when I am weak, then I am strong.

Concern for the Corinthian Church

^11 (K)I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was ^(L)not at all inferior to these super-apostles, ^(M)even though I am nothing. ^12 (N)The signs of a true apostle were performed among you ^(O)with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. ¹³ For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that ^(P)I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!

¹⁴ Here ^(Q)for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for ^(R)I seek not what is yours but you. For ^(S)children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but ^(T)parents for their children. ^15 (U)I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If ^(V)I love you more, am I to be loved less? ¹⁶ But granting that ^(W)I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit. ¹⁷ Did I take advantage of you ^(X)through any of those whom I sent to you? ^18 (Y)I urged Titus to go, and sent ^(Z)the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?

¹⁹ Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is ^(AA)in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and ^(AB)all for your upbuilding, beloved. ²⁰ For I fear that perhaps ^(AC)when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.