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2 Corinthians 12
Living Bible
2 Corinthians 12
Living Bible
12 This boasting is all so foolish, but let me go on. Let me tell about the visions I’ve had, and revelations from the Lord.
2-3 Fourteen years ago I[a] was taken up to heaven for a visit. Don’t ask me whether my body was there or just my spirit, for I don’t know; only God can answer that. But anyway, there I was in paradise, 4 and heard things so astounding that they are beyond a man’s power to describe or put in words (and anyway I am not allowed to tell them to others). 5 That experience is something worth bragging about, but I am not going to do it. I am going to boast only about how weak I am and how great God is to use such weakness for his glory. 6 I have plenty to boast about and would be no fool in doing it, but I don’t want anyone to think more highly of me than he should from what he can actually see in my life and my message.
7 I will say this: because these experiences I had were so tremendous, God was afraid I might be puffed up by them; so I was given a physical condition which has been a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to hurt and bother me and prick my pride. 8 Three different times I begged God to make me well again.
9 Each time he said, “No. But I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people.” Now I am glad to boast about how weak I am; I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ’s power, instead of showing off my own power and abilities. 10 Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite happy about “the thorn,” and about insults and hardships, persecutions and difficulties; for when I am weak, then I am strong—the less I have, the more I depend on him.
11 You have made me act like a fool—boasting like this—for you people ought to be writing about me and not making me write about myself. There isn’t a single thing these other marvelous fellows have that I don’t have too, even though I am really worth nothing at all. 12 When I was there I certainly gave you every proof that I was truly an apostle, sent to you by God himself, for I patiently did many wonders and signs and mighty works among you. 13 The only thing I didn’t do for you, which I do everywhere else in all other churches, was to become a burden to you—I didn’t ask you to give me food to eat and a place to stay. Please forgive me for this wrong!
14 Now I am coming to you again, the third time; and it is still not going to cost you anything, for I don’t want your money. I want you! And anyway, you are my children, and little children don’t pay for their father’s and mother’s food—it’s the other way around; parents supply food for their children. 15 I am glad to give you myself and all I have for your spiritual good, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me.
16 Some of you are saying, “It’s true that his visits didn’t seem to cost us anything, but he is a sneaky fellow, that Paul, and he fooled us. As sure as anything he must have made money from us some way.”
17 But how? Did any of the men I sent to you take advantage of you? 18 When I urged Titus to visit you and sent our other brother with him, did they make any profit? No, of course not. For we have the same Holy Spirit and walk in each other’s steps, doing things the same way.
19 I suppose you think I am saying all this to get back into your good graces. That isn’t it at all. I tell you, with God listening as I say it, that I have said this to help you, dear friends—to build you up spiritually—and not to help myself. 20 For I am afraid that when I come to visit you I won’t like what I find, and then you won’t like the way I will have to act. I am afraid that I will find you quarreling, and envying each other, and being angry with each other, and acting big, and saying wicked things about each other, and whispering behind each other’s backs, filled with conceit and disunity. 21 Yes, I am afraid that when I come God will humble me before you and I will be sad and mourn because many of you have sinned before and don’t even care about the wicked, impure things you have done: your lust and immorality, and the taking of other men’s wives.
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 12:2 I, literally, “a man in Christ.” heaven, literally, “the third heaven.”
2 Corinthians 12
New International Version
2 Corinthians 12
New International Version
Paul’s Vision and His Thorn
12 I must go on boasting.(A) Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations(B) from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ(C) who fourteen years ago was caught up(D) to the third heaven.(E) Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.(F) 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up(G) to paradise(H) and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.(I) 6 Even if I should choose to boast,(J) I would not be a fool,(K) because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations.(L) Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh,(M) a messenger of Satan,(N) to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.(O) 9 But he said to me, “My grace(P) is sufficient for you, for my power(Q) is made perfect in weakness.(R)”(S) Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight(T) in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,(U) in persecutions,(V) in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.(W)
Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians
11 I have made a fool of myself,(X) but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,”[a](Y) even though I am nothing.(Z) 12 I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.(AA) 13 How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you?(AB) Forgive me this wrong!(AC)
14 Now I am ready to visit you for the third time,(AD) and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents,(AE) but parents for their children.(AF) 15 So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well.(AG) If I love you more,(AH) will you love me less? 16 Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you.(AI) Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery! 17 Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent to you? 18 I urged(AJ) Titus(AK) to go to you and I sent our brother(AL) with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not walk in the same footsteps by the same Spirit?
19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God(AM) as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends,(AN) is for your strengthening.(AO) 20 For I am afraid that when I come(AP) I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be.(AQ) I fear that there may be discord,(AR) jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition,(AS) slander,(AT) gossip,(AU) arrogance(AV) and disorder.(AW) 21 I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved(AX) over many who have sinned earlier(AY) and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery(AZ) in which they have indulged.
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 12:11 Or the most eminent apostles
2 Corintios 12
La Palabra (Hispanoamérica)
2 Corintios 12
La Palabra (Hispanoamérica)
Experiencias carismáticas de Pablo
12 Si hay que seguir presumiendo, aunque me parezca totalmente inútil, pasaré a las visiones y revelaciones que me concedió el Señor. 2 Conozco a un creyente en Cristo que hace catorce años fue arrebatado al tercer cielo, si con cuerpo o sin cuerpo no sabría decirlo; Dios es quien lo sabe. 3 Lo cierto es que ese hombre —repito que no sé si con cuerpo o sin cuerpo; Dios es quien lo sabe— 4 fue arrebatado al paraíso y escuchó palabras misteriosas que a ningún humano le está permitido pronunciar. 5 De alguien así podría presumir; pero en lo que me atañe, sólo presumiré de mis flaquezas. 6 Y eso que, si quisiera presumir, no diría ningún desatino, al contrario, estaría diciendo la pura verdad; pero me abstengo de hacerlo para que nadie me considere por encima de lo que ve o escucha de mí 7 a causa de revelaciones tan extraordinarias.
La verdadera fortaleza
Precisamente para que no se me suban los humos a la cabeza, tengo una espina clavada en mi carne: se trata de un agente de Satanás que me da de bofetadas para que no me ensoberbezca. 8 Tres veces he pedido al Señor que me libre de esto 9 y otras tantas me ha dicho: “te basta mi gracia, porque mi fuerza se realiza plenamente en lo débil”. Con gusto, pues, presumiré de mis flaquezas, para sentir dentro de mí la fuerza de Cristo. 10 Por eso me satisface soportar por Cristo flaquezas, ultrajes, dificultades, persecuciones y angustias, ya que, cuando me siento débil, es cuando más fuerte soy.
Preocupaciones por los cristianos
11 Si he hablado como un insensato, ustedes me forzaron a ello. En realidad, les correspondía a ustedes dar la cara por mí, pues aunque no soy nada, en nada soy inferior a esos superapóstoles. 12 Ahí están las credenciales de mi apostolado entre ustedes: una constancia a toda prueba acompañada de signos milagrosos, prodigios y portentos. 13 ¿En qué están ustedes en desventaja con las demás iglesias? ¿En que yo no quise vivir a costa de ustedes? ¡Perdónenme, por favor, este agravio!
14 Estoy a punto de hacerles mi tercera visita y tampoco esta vez les seré gravoso, pues me interesan ustedes, no su dinero. Después de todo, corresponde a los padres ahorrar para los hijos, y no los hijos para los padres. 15 Así que gastaré gustosamente cuanto tenga, y me desgastaré yo mismo por ustedes ¿Acaso por amarlos yo tanto, me amarán ustedes menos?
16 Quizás alguno piense que, en efecto, no fui carga para ustedes, pero que, astuto como soy, les hice morder el anzuelo. 17 ¿Querrían decirme a cuál de las personas que les envié he utilizado para explotarlos? 18 Pedí a Tito que fuera a visitarlos y envié con él a ese otro hermano. ¿Es que los ha explotado Tito? ¿No es más cierto que nos mueve el mismo Espíritu y que los dos seguimos los mismos pasos? 19 A lo mejor ustedes están pensando hace un buen rato que no hacemos sino justificarnos ante ustedes. Dios es testigo de que es Cristo quien nos impulsa a hablar, y de que todo esto, queridos míos, es para su propio provecho espiritual. 20 Porque tengo miedo de no encontrarlos a mi llegada como yo quisiera y de que tampoco ustedes me encuentren como sería su deseo. Tengo miedo de encontrarme con discordias, envidias, animosidades, rivalidades, maledicencias, críticas, engreimientos y desórdenes. 21 Tengo miedo de que, cuando los visite de nuevo, me humille Dios por causa de ustedes y tenga yo que hacer duelo por tantos como han pecado y no se han arrepentido de la impureza, la lujuria y el desenfreno en que vivían.
2 Corinthians 12
New King James Version
2 Corinthians 12
New King James Version
The Vision of Paradise
12 It is [a]doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to (A)visions and (B)revelations of the Lord: 2 I know a man (C)in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one (D)was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 how he was caught up into (E)Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not (F)boast, except in my infirmities. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.
The Thorn in the Flesh
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a (G)thorn in the flesh was given to me, (H)a messenger of Satan to [b]buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 (I)Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly (J)I will rather boast in my infirmities, (K)that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore (L)I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. (M)For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Signs of an Apostle
11 I have become (N)a fool [c]in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for (O)in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though (P)I am nothing. 12 (Q)Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and (R)wonders and mighty (S)deeds. 13 For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!
Love for the Church
14 (T)Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for (U)I do not seek yours, but you. (V)For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent (W)for your souls; though (X)the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.
16 But be that as it may, (Y)I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning! 17 Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus, and sent our (Z)brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?
19 (AA)Again, [d]do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? (AB)We speak before God in Christ. (AC)But we do all things, beloved, for your edification. 20 For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that (AD)I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; 21 lest, when I come again, my God (AE)will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many (AF)who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, (AG)fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 12:1 NU necessary, though not profitable, to boast
- 2 Corinthians 12:7 beat
- 2 Corinthians 12:11 NU omits in boasting
- 2 Corinthians 12:19 NU You have been thinking for a long time that we
2 Corinthians 12
King James Version
2 Corinthians 12
King James Version
12 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
16 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
Living Bible (TLB)
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
La Palabra (Hispanoamérica) (BLPH)
La Palabra, (versión hispanoamericana) © 2010 Texto y Edición, Sociedad Bíblica de España
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.