A New Translation of Paul’s Second Letter to the
Corinthians
Based on the Westcott and Hort Text of 1881 with references to the Papyrus fragments of the Chester Beatty collections, c. 3rd Century A.D. and the Sinaitic Manuscript of the 4th Century.
Some notes on this translation:
Is there a 3rd Corinthians? Our Bible contains two letters from Paul to the Corinthians. However, reference is made to a prior letter, which we do not have. So technically, the books we know as 1st and 2nd Corinthians are really 2nd and 3rd Corinthians!
Gentiles vs. nations: Many translations have translated the Greek root ethn- as Gentiles. We have translated it as nations. The reason for the discrepancy is this: The Hebrew word goyim technically means nations, but as used by the Jews for millennia, the word implies non-Jewish nations, hence, Gentiles. In writing the New Testament, the Greek equivalent of goyim was used, but since the writing was done primarily by Jews, they tended to use the word to mean non-Jewish nations. In reading this translation, readers should keep that in mind, realizing that when Paul said “nations,” he meant “non-Jewish nations.”
Thou vs. YOU: Many people today have a hard time understanding the Elizabethan usage of thou, thee, thy, etc. For this reason, we have chosen to avoid this archaic language. At the same time, we need to be able to fulfill the purpose of those words, which was to distinguish between a singular you and a plural YOU. Following the example of other translations, we have used all capital letters to indicate plural (more than one person addressed), and small letters to indicate singular (one person addressed).
Words in italics: Following the example of other translations, we have used italics for words that are not in the original text, but which are essential to the sense of the original when translated into English. Unlike other translations, however, we have NOT added words which alter the meaning of the original.
Words in (parentheses): These are not part of the biblical text, but are notes of explanation from the translator.
Man and Woman vs. Husband and Wife: Greek has no specific words for husband or wife, but uses the words man and woman, as do many other languages. We have translated the words man and woman as such, but in proper context, the readers should understand them to mean husband and wife.
Perfect vs. Complete: Many English versions use the word “perfect” both as a verb and as an adjective, to translate a particular Greek root. We have also used it occasionally, but it should be understood as perfect in the sense of “complete” and not in the sense of “without flaw.”
2 Corinthians 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Brother Timothy, unto the church of God which is in Corinth, with all the saints that are in the whole of Achaia:
2 Grace to YOU and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort;
4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those in all tribulation, through the comfort with which we ourselves are being comforted by God.
5 Because just as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
6 But whether we are in tribulation, it is for YOUR comfort and salvation; whether we are comforted, it is for YOUR comfort, which is working in the endurance of the same sufferings which we also are suffering:
7 and our hope for YOU is steadfast; knowing that, as YOU are partakers of the sufferings, so also of the comfort.
8 For we are not willing for YOU to be ignorant, brethren, about our tribulation that took place in Asia, that we were extremely weighed down, beyond our power, so that we despaired even of life:
9 but we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, so that we might not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead:
10 who delivered us out of so great a death, and will deliver: on whom we have hoped that he will also still deliver us;
11 YOUR cooperation also for us by supplication; so that, for the gift in us by means of many, thanks may be given by many persons for us.
12 For our boasting is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we conducted ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward YOU.
13 For we are not writing to YOU anything other than what YOU know or also recognize, and I hope YOU will recognize until the end:
14 just as YOU also recognized us, in part, that we are YOUR boasting, just as YOU also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.
15 And with this confidence I had previously wanted to come to YOU, so that YOU might have a second joy;
16 and by way of YOU to go through into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to YOU, and to be sent forward into Judea by YOU.
17 Therefore, determining to do this, did I show fickleness? Or what I determine to do, do I determine according to the flesh, so that with me yes may be yes and no, no?
18 But God is faithful, so our word toward YOU is not yes and no.
19 For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who has been preached among YOU by us, by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not yes and no, but in him is yes.
20 For as many as the promises of God are, in him is the yes: therefore also through him is the Amen to God for glory through us.
21 Now he that establishes us in Christ with YOU, and has anointed us, is God;
22 who has also sealed us, and has given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. (An “earnest” is like a deposit, a small portion given as a guarantee of what is to come later.)
23 But I call God for a witness for my soul, that to spare YOU I didn’t come to Corinth yet.
24 Not that we are lords of YOUR faith, but are fellow workers of YOUR joy: for YOU have stood fast in faith.
2 Corinthians 2
1 But I decided this for myself, that I would not come to YOU with sadness again.
2 For if I make YOU sad, who is the one cheering me up, but the one made sad by me?
3 And I wrote this very thing, so that when I have come, I should not get sadness from those over whom I ought to be rejoicing; having confidence in YOU all, that my joy is the joy of all of YOU.
4 For out of much tribulation and anguish of heart I wrote to YOU with many tears; not that YOU might be made sad, but so that YOU might know the love that I have more abundantly for YOU.
5 But if anyone has caused sadness, he has not caused sadness to me except partially, --I don’t want to be too harsh on YOU all.
6 This punishment by the majority is sufficient for such a one;
7 so then on the contrary YOU should forgive and comfort, lest somehow such a one might be swallowed up by far more sadness.
8 Therefore I ask YOU to confirm love for him.
9 For I also wrote for this purpose, that I might know the proof of YOU, whether YOU are obedient in all things.
10 But to whom YOU forgive anything, I also forgive: for what I also have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, for YOUR sakes I have forgiven it before Christ;
11 so that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan: for we are not ignorant of his purposes.
12 But having come into Troas for the gospel of Christ, and a door having been opened for me by the Lord,
13 I had no relief in my spirit, because I didn’t find my brother Titus: but saying goodbye to them, I left for Macedonia.
14 But thanks to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and makes manifest through us the fragrance of the knowledge of him in every place.
15 For we are a sweet fragrance of Christ to God, among those saved, and among those who perish;
16 to the one a fragrance from death into death; to the other a fragrance from life into life. And who is sufficient for these things?
17 For we are not as the many, selling the word of God as hucksters: but we are speaking as of sincerity, but as of God, before God in Christ.
2 Corinthians 3
1 Are we starting to recommend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some do, letters of recommendation to YOU or from YOU?
2 YOU are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men;
3 being made apparent that YOU are a letter of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tablets of stone, but in tablets of hearts of flesh.
4 And such confidence we have through Christ toward God:
5 not that we are sufficient in ourselves, to count anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God;
6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of written letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life.
7 But if the administration of death in written letters engraved in stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look into the face of Moses because of the glory of his face; which glory was to be done away with:
8 how would the administration of the spirit not be with more glory?
9 For if the administration of condemnation had glory, the administration of righteousness abounds in glory much more.
10 For actually that which was glorified was not glorified in this respect, on account of the glory that surpasses it.
11 For if that which is to be done away with was with glory, that which remains is much more in glory.
12 Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness of speech,
13 and not like Moses, putting a covering on his face, so the children of Israel would not look intently at the result of what was being done away with:
14 but their minds were dulled: for until this very day, at the reading of the old covenant, the same covering remains, not being revealed that it is done away with in Christ.
15 But until today, whenever Moses is read, a covering lies upon their heart.
16 But whenever it should turn to the Lord, the covering is taken away.
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, liberty is.
18 But we all, with uncovered face reflecting the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, exactly as from the Lord the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 4
1 Therefore having this ministry, just as we were shown mercy, we don’t give in:
2 but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in trickery, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth recommending ourselves to every human conscience in the sight of God.
3 But and if our gospel is covered, it is covered among those who perish:
4 in whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, so the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not shine.
5 For we are not preaching ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, but ourselves as YOUR slaves for Jesus' sake.
6 Because it is God who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ who shined in our hearts, for illumination of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. (Some add “Jesus’ before “Christ.”)
7 But we have this treasure in earthenware vessels, so that the abundance of the power may be of God, and not from us;
8 we are pressed on every side, but not distressed; seeing no way out, but not actually having no way out;
9 pursued, but not left behind; thrown down, but not destroyed;
10 always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus might also be manifested in our body.
11 For we, the living, are always being handed over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus might also be manifested in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death is working in us, but life in YOU.
13 But having the same spirit of faith, as it is written, ‘I believed, therefore I spoke;’ we also believe, and therefore we also speak;
14 knowing that the one who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with YOU.
15 For all things are for YOUR sakes, so that the grace having increased, the thanksgiving might abound through many more for the glory of God.
16 Therefore we do not give in; but and if our outward man is decaying, yet our inward is being renewed day by day.
17 For the momentary light tribulation is working for us, more and more exceedingly, an eternal abundance of glory;
18 not looking at our visible things, but at the invisible: for the visible things are temporary; but the invisible things are eternal.
2 Corinthians 5
1 For we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle should be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.
2 For indeed, in this one we are groaning, longing to put on our dwelling from heaven:
3 and if indeed we have put it on, we will not be found naked.
4 For indeed we being in this tabernacle are groaning, being burdened; not because we want to take one off, but to put the other on, so that what is mortal might be swallowed up by life.
5 But the one who made us for this very thing is God, who gave us the earnest of the Spirit.
6 Therefore always having courage, and knowing that, while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord
7 --for we walk by faith, not by sight,--
8 we have courage, but also are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.
9 Therefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing to him.
10 For we must all be manifested before the judgment-seat of Christ; so that each one might carry off the things done through the body, according to what he has done, whether good or evil.
11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we are persuading men, but we have been manifested to God; but I am hoping to have been manifested in YOUR consciences also.
12 We are not recommending ourselves to YOU again, but giving YOU opportunity for boasting for us, so that YOU may have an answer for those who boast of appearance and not of heart.
13 For if we are insane, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for YOU.
14 For the love of Christ is compelling us, having determined that one died for all, so then all died;
15 and he died for all, so that those living might no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and rose again.
16 So from now on, we know no one according to flesh: even if we have known Christ according to flesh, but now we no longer know him according to flesh.
17 So if anyone is in Christ, that one is a new creation: the original ones passed away; see, they have become new.
18 But all are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation,
19 that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses to them, and having placed in us the word of reconciliation.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as God entreating through us: we beseech for Christ: Be reconciled to God.
21 He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us; so that we might become the righteousness of God by him.
2 Corinthians 6
1 But working together we also ask YOU not to receive the grace of God in vain--
2 For he says, ‘At an acceptable time I heard you, and in a day of salvation I helped you.” Look, now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation!
3 --giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that the ministry might not be blemished;
4 but in everything recommending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much endurance, in tribulations, in necessities, in distresses,
5 in wounds, in imprisonments, in instabilities, in labors, in sleepless nights, in fastings;
6 in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in unhypocritical love,
7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the instruments of righteousness on the right and on the left,
8 through glory and dishonor, through defamation and good report; as deceivers and true;
9 as unknown and recognized; as dying, and look, we are living; as disciplined, and not killed;
10 as sad, but always rejoicing; as poor, but making many rich; as having nothing, and possessing all things.
11 Our mouth has been open to YOU, Corinthians, our heart has been widened.
12 YOU are not cramped by us, but YOU are cramped in YOUR affections.
13 But the same recompense --I am speaking as to children-- YOU also be widened!
14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what participation does righteousness have with iniquity? Or what fellowship light with darkness?
15 And what harmony does Christ have with Belial? Or what portion does a believer have with an unbeliever?
16 And what agreement does a temple of God have with idols? For we are a temple of the living God; just as God said, ‘I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people.
17 Therefore come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, and do not touch an unclean thing; And I will receive YOU,
18 And will be a Father to YOU, And YOU will be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.’
2 Corinthians 7
1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, we should cleanse ourselves from every stain of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Make space for us: we have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we took advantage of no one.
3 I am not saying this to condemn: for I have said before, that YOU are in our hearts to die together and live together.
4 I have great boldness of speech toward YOU, I have much boasting over YOU: I have been filled with comfort, I am overflowing with joy in all our tribulation.
5 For in fact, when we had come into Macedonia our flesh had no relief, but were in tribulation in everything: outside battles, inside fears.
6 But the one who comforts the lowly, God, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
7 but not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in YOU, telling us YOUR longing, YOUR lamentation, YOUR zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more.
8 Because even if I made YOU sad with my letter, I do not regret it: but if I did regret it -- for I see that that letter made YOU sad, if but for an hour--
9 now I am rejoicing, not that YOU were made sad, but that YOU were made sad into repentance; for YOU were made sad concerning God, so that from us YOU might be injured in nothing.
10 For sadness concerning God works repentance into salvation without regret: but the sadness of the world works death.
11 For see how much this very sadness concerning God made YOU do your best, what self-accounting, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what righting of wrong! In everything YOU showed YOURSELVES to be clean in this matter.
12 So although I wrote to YOU, it was not because of the one who did the wrong, nor because of the one who was wronged, but that YOUR best effort for us might be manifested to YOU in the sight of God.
13 Therefore we have been comforted: but in our comfort we rejoiced more abundantly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of YOU.
14 Because if I have boasted anything about YOU to him, I was not put to shame; but as we spoke all things to YOU in truth, so our boasting which I made before Titus was also found to be truth.
15 And his affection is more abundant for YOU, remembering the obedience of all of YOU, how YOU received him with fear and trembling.
16 I am rejoicing because in everything I have confidence in YOU.
2 Corinthians 8
1 But, brethren, we are making known to YOU the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia;
2 that in much proof of tribulation, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded into the riches of their generosity.
3 For as was in their power, I am bearing witness, and even beyond their power, they, of their own accord, gave
4 for the sake of sharing in the ministry to the saints, beseeching us with much entreaty:
5 and not as we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.
6 So much that we encouraged Titus, that as he previously started to do, so he would also complete this in YOU, too.
7 But just as YOU are abounding in everything, faith, and word, and knowledge, and all YOUR best efforts, and in love from us for YOU, so abound in this graciousness also.
8 I am not saying this as a commandment, but because of the best efforts of others, and for testing the genuineness of YOUR love.
9 For YOU know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, being rich, he became poor for YOUR sakes, so that YOU might become rich through his poverty.
10 And I am giving an opinion in this: for this is beneficial for YOU, who previously made a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to be willing to do.
11 But now complete the doing also; so that as there was the predisposition to be willing, so let there also be a completion from what YOU have.
12 For if the predisposition is present, it is acceptable according to what one may have, not according to what one does not have.
13 But not so that it’s easy on others but a burden on YOU;
14 but by equality: YOUR abundance at the present time for their deficit, so that their abundance might also be for YOUR deficit; so that there might be equality:
15 as it is written, ‘The one with much did not have too much, and the one with little did not have too little.’
16 But thanks to God, who puts the same best efforts for YOU into the heart of Titus.
17 Because indeed he accepted the encouragement; but being more diligent, he went to YOU of his own accord.
18 But we sent with him the brother whose commendation in the gospel has spread through all the churches;
19 and not only that, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in this grace, which is ministered by us for the glory of the Lord, and our predisposition:
20 Avoiding this, that anyone should find fault in us in this abundance which is administered by us:
21 for we are providing honestly, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
22 But we have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, because of the great confidence in YOU,
23 whether for Titus, my partner and fellow-worker for YOU, or for our brethren, the apostles of the churches, the glory of Christ.
24 Therefore show them the proof of YOUR love, and of our boasting of YOU before the churches.
2 Corinthians 9
1 Now about the ministry for the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to YOU:
2 for I know YOUR predisposition, of which I boast about YOU to the Macedonians, that Achaia has been ready since last year; and YOUR zeal has stirred up most of them.
3 But I sent the brethren, so that our boasting about YOU might not be made empty in this respect; so that, just as I was saying, YOU may be ready:
4 lest somehow, if the Macedonians should come with me and find YOU unprepared, we --not saying YOU-- should be put to shame in this confidence of ours.
5 I considered it necessary, therefore, to encourage the brethren, so that they would go to YOU in advance, and prepare YOUR previously promised blessing ahead of time, so that it might be ready, as a blessing, and not as extortion.
6 But this: The one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 Each according as he has resolved in the heart: not in sadness, or by constraint: for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 But God is able to make all grace abound for YOU; so that, always having all self-sufficiency in everything, YOU may abound into every good work:
9 as it is written, ‘He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor; his righteousness remains for ever.’
10 And the one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for eating, will supply and multiply YOUR seed, and will increase the fruits of YOUR righteousness:
11 being enriched in everything for all generosity, which works thanksgiving through us to God.
12 For the ministry of this service not only fills up the deficits of the saints, but also abounds through many thanksgivings to God;
13 Through the proof of this ministry they glorify God for the subjection of YOUR profession for the gospel of Christ, and generosity of sharing for them and for all;
14 and their supplication for YOU, longing for YOU because of the exceeding grace of God toward YOU.
15 Thanks to God for his indescribable gift.
2 Corinthians 10
1 But I myself, Paul, ask YOU by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, who in appearance am lowly among YOU, but being absent am bold toward YOU:
2 but, I beg that when present, I may not be bold with the confidence with which I am considering to be bold against some, who consider us as if we walked according to the flesh.
3 For though we are walking in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh
4 for the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but powerful by God for demolishing strongholds,
5 demolishing reasonings, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and taking every thought captive into obedience to Christ;
6 and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, as soon as YOUR obedience will be fulfilled.
7 YOU look at things according to appearance. If anyone has trusted in himself that he is Christ's, let him consider this again for himself, that, just as he is Christ's, so also are we.
8 For though I should boast somewhat abundantly about our authority, which the Lord gave for building YOU up, and not for tearing YOU down, I will not be put to shame:
9 so that I may not seem as if I would terrify YOU by my letters.
10 For, his letters, they say, are indeed weighty and strong; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech despicable.
11 Let such a one consider this, that, what we are in word by letters when absent, such also we are in action when present.
12 For we are not daring to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who recommend themselves: but they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, have no understanding.
13 But we will not boast immoderately, but according to the measure of the measuring stick which God apportioned to us for a measure, to reach also to YOU.
14 For we are not overstretching ourselves, as though we didn’t reached YOU: for we did already come as far as YOU for the gospel of Christ:
15 not boasting immoderately, about another's labors; but having hope that, as YOUR faith increases, we will be extolled by YOU according to our measuring stick so that we abound even more,
16 so as to preach the gospel even into the places beyond YOU, not to boast by another's measuring stick of things already done.
17 ‘But let the one boasting, boast in the Lord.’
18 For it is not the one recommending himself who is approved, but whom the Lord recommends.
2 Corinthians 11
1 I wish that YOU would put up with some little foolishness from me: but then YOU do put up with me!
2 For I am jealous over YOU with a godly jealousy: for I joined YOU to one man, to present YOU as a pure virgin to Christ.
3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent completely deceived Eve by its trickery, YOUR minds might be corrupted from the sincerity and the purity that are for Christ.
4 For indeed, if one comes preaching another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or YOU receive a different spirit, which YOU did not receive, or a different gospel, which YOU did not accept, YOU put up with him just fine!
5 For I consider that I am not a bit less than the greatest apostles.
6 But if I am ignorant in speech, I certainly am not in knowledge; but, in everything we have made this evident for YOU in all things.
7 Or did I commit a sin in making myself lowly so that YOU might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to YOU for free?
8 I robbed other churches, receiving a salary for ministry to YOU;
9 and when I was present with YOU and had need, I wasn’t a burden to anyone; for the brethren, when they came from Macedonia, filled up my need; and in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to YOU, and will I keep myself so.
10 It is Christ’s truth for me, that this boasting will not be limited for me in the regions of Achaia.
11 Why? Because I don’t love YOU? God knows!
12 But what I am doing, I will continue to do, so that I might cut off the opportunity from those wanting an opportunity to be found equal to us, in which they are boasting.
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
14 And no wonder, for Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light.
15 So it is no great thing if his ministers also disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
16 Again I am saying, don’t let anyone think I’m foolish; but if, in fact, YOU do, accept me, even if as foolish, so that I may also boast a little.
17 What I am speaking, I am not speaking according to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.
18 Since many boast according to the flesh, I should also boast.
19 For YOU gladly put up with the foolish being sensible;
20 For YOU put up with it if anyone enslaves YOU, if anyone devours YOU, if anyone takes YOU captive, if anyone exalts himself over YOU, if anyone punches YOU in the face.
21 I am talking about dishonor, as though we had been weak. But whatever anyone dares to do --I am speaking in foolishness--, I also dare to do.
22 Are they Hebrews? Me too. Are they Israelites? Me too. Are they the seed of Abraham? Me too.
23 Are they ministers of Christ? –I’m speaking as though insane-- I more: in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in wounds beyond measure, in deaths many times.
24 By the Jews, five times I received forty lashes minus one. (i.e., 39 lashes)
25 Three times I was beaten with sticks, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the sea;
26 in travels many times, in dangers of rivers, in dangers of robbers, in dangers from those of my race, in dangers from the nations, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the wilderness, in dangers in the sea, in dangers among false brethren;
27 in toil and travail, in sleepless nights many times, in hunger and thirst, in fastings many times, in cold and nakedness.
28 Besides those things that are outside, there is that which stands over me daily, anxiety for all the churches.
29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and I am not incensed?
30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things of my weakness.
31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is blessed for ever, knows that I am not lying.
32 In Damascus, King Aretas’ governor was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me:
33 and I was lowered in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.
2 Corinthians 12
1 I must boast, but it is not beneficial; so I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord:
2 I knew a man in Christ, who fourteen years ago was caught up as to the third heaven --whether in body, I don’t know, or out of the body, I don’t know; God knows.
3 And I knew such a man --whether in body, or without the body, I don’t know; God knows--,
4 that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for man to speak.
5 I will boast of such a one: but I will not boast of myself, except in weaknesses.
6 For if I should be willing to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will tell the truth: but I abstain, so no one should account of me more than what he sees in me or hears from me.
7 And, so that I may not be overly exalted by the exceeding greatness of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan to punch me, so that I may not be overly exalted.
8 Concerning this, I asked the Lord three times, that it might depart from me.
9 And he has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you: for power is made perfect in weakness’. Most gladly therefore, I will rather boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ might encamp upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ: for when I am weak, then I am powerful.
11 I have become foolish: YOU compelled me to; for I should have been recommended by YOU: for in nothing was I less than the greatest apostles, even if I am nothing.
12 Indeed the signs of an apostle were worked among YOU with all endurance, by signs and wonders and powers.
13 For what is it in which YOU were made inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself was not a burden to YOU? Forgive me this wrong!
14 Look, this is the third time I am ready to come to YOU; and I will not be a burden to YOU: for I am not seeking your things, but YOU. For the children ought not to store up treasure for the parents, but the parents for the children.
15 And I will most gladly spend, and be completely spent, for YOUR souls. If I am loving YOU more abundantly, am I being loved less?
16 But let it be; I did not burden YOU; but, being tricky, I caught YOU by deceit.
17 Did I take advantage of YOU by any one of those whom I have sent to YOU?
18 I encouraged Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of YOU? Didn’t we walk in the same spirit? Not in the same steps?
19 Do YOU still think that we are defending ourselves to YOU? We are speaking in Christ before God. But all things, beloved, are for YOUR building up.
20 For I fear that, somehow, when I come, I might not find YOU as I would like, and that I might not be found by YOU as YOU would like; that somehow there would be strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, backbitings, whisperings, puffing up, upheavals;
21 that when I come again my God might humiliate me before YOU, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and loose conduct which they practiced.
2 Corinthians 13
1 This is the third time I am coming to YOU. ‘By the mouth of two or three witnesses will every word be established.’
2 I have said before, and I am saying in advance, as when I was present the second time, and now, being absent, to those who have sinned heretofore, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not be lenient;
3 since YOU are seeking proof of Christ speaking through me; who is not weak toward YOU, but is powerful in YOU:
4 for he was crucified through weakness, but he lives through the power of God. For we are also weak in him, but we will live with him through the power of God toward YOU.
5 Test YOURselves, whether YOU are in the faith; prove YOURselves. Or don’t YOU recognize YOURselves, that Jesus Christ is in YOU? Unless YOU are reprobate.
6 But I am hoping that YOU will know that we are not reprobate.
7 But we are praying to God that YOU do no evil; not so that we might appear approved, but so that YOU may do what is honorable, though we may appear to be as reprobate.
8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
9 For we are rejoicing when we are weak, but YOU are powerful: we are also praying for this: YOUR completion.
10 For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that I may not act harshly when present, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for tearing down.
11 Finally, brethren, rejoice. Be perfected, be comforted, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with YOU.
12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
13 All the saints greet YOU.
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of YOU.