The thorn in the flesh
It does no good for me to boast, but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven — whether in the body or out of the body I don't know; God knows. And I know that this man — whether in the body or out of the body I don't know; God knows — was caught up into paradise and heard words beyond telling, which a man isn't permitted to speak. About a man like that I will boast. But about myself I won't boast, except in my weaknesses. Even if I wanted to boast, I wouldn't be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I hold back, so nobody thinks more of me than what he sees in me or hears from me. And to stop me getting above myself because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, I was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to knock me about, to stop me getting above myself. Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it would leave me. And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. So I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. Because when I am weak, then I am strong.
It isn't good for me doubtless to boast. I'll come to visions and things shown by the Lord. I knew a man in Christ over fourteen years ago (whether in the body I can't tell, or whether out of the body I can't tell — God knows), one caught up right to the third heaven. And I knew a man like that (whether in the body or out of the body I can't tell — God knows), how he was caught up into paradise and heard words that can't be spoken, that it isn't lawful for a man to speak out. Of one like that I'll boast. But of myself I won't boast, except in my weaknesses. Because though I'd want to boast, I won't be a fool. Because I'll say the truth. But now I hold back, in case any man should think of me above what he sees me to be or what he hears of me. And in case I should be lifted up above measure through the greatness of the things shown me, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, in case I should be lifted up above measure. For this thing I begged the Lord three times, that it might leave me. And he said to me: My grace is enough for you. Because my strength is made perfect in weakness. So I'll rather boast gladly in my weaknesses, so the power of Christ can rest on me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in needs, in chasings, in hardships for Christ's sake. Because when I'm weak, then I'm strong.
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 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. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 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. 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. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 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. 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.
It does no good for me to boast, but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
It isn't good for me doubtless to boast. I'll come to visions and things shown by the Lord.
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven — whether in the body or out of the body I don't know; God knows.
I knew a man in Christ over fourteen years ago (whether in the body I can't tell, or whether out of the body I can't tell — God knows), one caught up right to the third heaven.
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.
And I know that this man — whether in the body or out of the body I don't know; God knows —
And I knew a man like that (whether in the body or out of the body I can't tell — God knows),
And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
was caught up into paradise and heard words beyond telling, which a man isn't permitted to speak.
how he was caught up into paradise and heard words that can't be spoken, that it isn't lawful for a man to speak out.
How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
About a man like that I will boast. But about myself I won't boast, except in my weaknesses.
Of one like that I'll boast. But of myself I won't boast, except in my weaknesses.
Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
Even if I wanted to boast, I wouldn't be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I hold back, so nobody thinks more of me than what he sees in me or hears from me.
Because though I'd want to boast, I won't be a fool. Because I'll say the truth. But now I hold back, in case any man should think of me above what he sees me to be or what he hears of me.
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.
And to stop me getting above myself because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, I was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to knock me about, to stop me getting above myself.
And in case I should be lifted up above measure through the greatness of the things shown me, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, in case I should be lifted up above measure.
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.
Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it would leave me.
For this thing I begged the Lord three times, that it might leave me.
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. So I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so the power of Christ may rest on me.
And he said to me: My grace is enough for you. Because my strength is made perfect in weakness. So I'll rather boast gladly in my weaknesses, so the power of Christ can rest on me.
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.
That is why I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. Because when I am weak, then I am strong.
So I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in needs, in chasings, in hardships for Christ's sake. Because when I'm weak, then I'm strong.
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.
Paul's care for them
I have been a fool in boasting. You drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, because I am not one bit behind the very chiefest apostles, even though I am nothing. The marks of a true apostle were worked out among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty works. Because what were you worse off in than the other churches, except that I myself was never a burden to you? Forgive me that wrong. Look — I am ready to come to you a third time, and I won't be a burden to you. Because I am not after what is yours. I am after you. Children shouldn't have to save up for their parents; parents save up for their children. And I will very gladly spend, and be spent, for you — even if the more I love you, the less I am loved. But be that as it may, I didn't burden you. Still, being crafty, I caught you with deceit. Did I take advantage of you through any of the men I sent to you? I urged Titus to go, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Didn't we walk in the same spirit, in the same steps? Have you been thinking all this time that we are defending ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ — and all of it, dear friends, is for your building up. Because I am afraid that when I come I won't find you as I want, and you won't find me as you want. I am afraid there may be quarrelling, envy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, pride and disorder. I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me among you, and I will have to grieve over many who sinned before and haven't repented of the impurity and immorality and indecency they have practised.
I've turned a fool in boasting. You've forced me. Because I ought to have been commended by you. Because in nothing am I behind the very chief apostles, though I'm nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. Because what is it where you were worse off than other churches, except that I myself wasn't a load to you? Forgive me this wrong. Look — the third time I'm ready to come to you. And I won't be a load to you. Because I don't look for what's yours, but you. Because the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. And I'll gladly spend and be spent for you, though the more strongly I love you, the less I'm loved. But be it so, I didn't load you. But being crafty, I caught you with cunning. Did I make a gain of you by any of the ones I sent to you? I wanted Titus and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? Didn't we walk in the same spirit? Didn't we walk in the same steps? Again, do you think we excuse ourselves to you? We speak in front of God in Christ. But we do everything, dearly beloved, for your building up. Because I'm frightened, in case when I come I won't find you the way I'd want, and so I'll be found by you the way you wouldn't want — in case there are arguings, envyings, angers, fights, backbitings, whisperings, puffings up, uproars. And in case, when I come again, my God will bring me low among you, and I'll mourn plenty who've sinned already and haven't turned back from the uncleanness and sexual sin and loose living they've done.
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. Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. 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. 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. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? 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? 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. 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: 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.
I have been a fool in boasting. You drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, because I am not one bit behind the very chiefest apostles, even though I am nothing.
I've turned a fool in boasting. You've forced me. Because I ought to have been commended by you. Because in nothing am I behind the very chief apostles, though I'm nothing.
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.
The marks of a true apostle were worked out among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty works.
Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.
Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
Because what were you worse off in than the other churches, except that I myself was never a burden to you? Forgive me that wrong.
Because what is it where you were worse off than other churches, except that I myself wasn't a load to you? Forgive me this wrong.
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.
Look — I am ready to come to you a third time, and I won't be a burden to you. Because I am not after what is yours. I am after you. Children shouldn't have to save up for their parents; parents save up for their children.
Look — the third time I'm ready to come to you. And I won't be a load to you. Because I don't look for what's yours, but you. Because the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
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.
And I will very gladly spend, and be spent, for you — even if the more I love you, the less I am loved.
And I'll gladly spend and be spent for you, though the more strongly I love you, the less I'm loved.
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
But be that as it may, I didn't burden you. Still, being crafty, I caught you with deceit.
But be it so, I didn't load you. But being crafty, I caught you with cunning.
But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
Did I take advantage of you through any of the men I sent to you?
Did I make a gain of you by any of the ones I sent to you?
Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
I urged Titus to go, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Didn't we walk in the same spirit, in the same steps?
I wanted Titus and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? Didn't we walk in the same spirit? Didn't we walk in the same steps?
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?
Have you been thinking all this time that we are defending ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ — and all of it, dear friends, is for your building up.
Again, do you think we excuse ourselves to you? We speak in front of God in Christ. But we do everything, dearly beloved, for your building up.
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.
Because I am afraid that when I come I won't find you as I want, and you won't find me as you want. I am afraid there may be quarrelling, envy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, pride and disorder.
Because I'm frightened, in case when I come I won't find you the way I'd want, and so I'll be found by you the way you wouldn't want — in case there are arguings, envyings, angers, fights, backbitings, whisperings, puffings up, uproars.
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:
I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me among you, and I will have to grieve over many who sinned before and haven't repented of the impurity and immorality and indecency they have practised.
And in case, when I come again, my God will bring me low among you, and I'll mourn plenty who've sinned already and haven't turned back from the uncleanness and sexual sin and loose living they've done.
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.