Bible History
Bible History

2 Corinthians 12 - New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995)

You are here: Home New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995) 2 Corinthians 12

Paul’s Vision

12 (A)Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and (B)revelations [a]of the Lord. 2 I know a man (C)in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, (D)God knows—such a man was (E)caught up to the (F)third heaven. 3 And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, (G)God knows— 4 was (H)caught up into (I)Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. 5 (J)On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my (K)weaknesses. 6 For if I do wish to boast I will not be (L)foolish, (M)for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.

A Thorn in the Flesh

7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the (N)revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a (O)thorn in the flesh, a (P)messenger of Satan to [b]torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord (Q)three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for (R)power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather (S)boast [c]about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore (T)I am well content with weaknesses, with [d]insults, with (U)distresses, with (V)persecutions, with (W)difficulties, (X)for Christ’s sake; for (Y)when I am weak, then I am strong.

11 I have become (Z)foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for (AA)in no respect was I inferior to the [e]most eminent apostles, even though (AB)I am a nobody. 12 The [f](AC)signs [g]of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by [h]signs and wonders and [i]miracles. 13 For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that (AD)I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me (AE)this wrong!

14 Here (AF)for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I (AG)will not be a burden to you; for I (AH)do not seek what is yours, but (AI)you; for (AJ)children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but (AK)parents for their children. 15 I will (AL)most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If (AM)I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But be that as it may, I (AN)did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I (AO)took you in by deceit. 17 (AP)Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I? 18 I (AQ)urged (AR)Titus to go, and I sent (AS)the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not [j]conduct ourselves [k]in the same (AT)spirit and walk (AU)in the same steps?

19 All this time [l]you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, (AV)it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and (AW)all for your upbuilding, (AX)beloved. 20 For I am afraid that perhaps (AY)when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be (AZ)strife, jealousy, (BA)angry tempers, (BB)disputes, (BC)slanders, (BD)gossip, (BE)arrogance, (BF)disturbances; 21 I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have (BG)sinned in the past and not repented of the (BH)impurity, [m]immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 12:1 Or from
  2. 2 Corinthians 12:7 Lit beat
  3. 2 Corinthians 12:9 Lit in
  4. 2 Corinthians 12:10 Or mistreatment
  5. 2 Corinthians 12:11 Or super-apostles
  6. 2 Corinthians 12:12 Or attesting miracles
  7. 2 Corinthians 12:12 Lit of the apostle
  8. 2 Corinthians 12:12 Or attesting miracles
  9. 2 Corinthians 12:12 Or works of power
  10. 2 Corinthians 12:18 Lit walk
  11. 2 Corinthians 12:18 Or by the same Spirit
  12. 2 Corinthians 12:19 Or have you been thinking...?
  13. 2 Corinthians 12:21 I.e. sexual immorality

Cross references

  1. 2 Corinthians 12:1 : 2 Cor 11:16, 18, 30; 12:5, 9
  2. 2 Corinthians 12:1 : 1 Cor 14:6; 2 Cor 12:7; Gal 1:12; 2:2; Eph 3:3
  3. 2 Corinthians 12:2 : Rom 16:7
  4. 2 Corinthians 12:2 : 2 Cor 11:11
  5. 2 Corinthians 12:2 : Ezek 8:3; Acts 8:39; 2 Cor 12:4; 1 Thess 4:17; Rev 12:5
  6. 2 Corinthians 12:2 : Deut 10:14; Ps 148:4; Eph 4:10; Heb 4:14
  7. 2 Corinthians 12:3 : 2 Cor 11:11
  8. 2 Corinthians 12:4 : Ezek 8:3; Acts 8:39; 2 Cor 12:2; 1 Thess 4:17; Rev 12:5
  9. 2 Corinthians 12:4 : Luke 23:43
  10. 2 Corinthians 12:5 : 2 Cor 12:1
  11. 2 Corinthians 12:5 : 1 Cor 2:3; 2 Cor 12:9f
  12. 2 Corinthians 12:6 : 2 Cor 5:13; 11:16f; 12:11
  13. 2 Corinthians 12:6 : 2 Cor 7:14
  14. 2 Corinthians 12:7 : 2 Cor 12:1
  15. 2 Corinthians 12:7 : Num 33:55; Ezek 28:24; Hos 2:6
  16. 2 Corinthians 12:7 : Job 2:6; Matt 4:10; 1 Cor 5:5
  17. 2 Corinthians 12:8 : Matt 26:44
  18. 2 Corinthians 12:9 : 1 Cor 2:5; Eph 3:16; Phil 4:13
  19. 2 Corinthians 12:9 : 1 Cor 2:3; 2 Cor 12:5
  20. 2 Corinthians 12:10 : Rom 5:3; 8:35
  21. 2 Corinthians 12:10 : 2 Cor 6:4
  22. 2 Corinthians 12:10 : 2 Thess 1:4; 2 Tim 3:11
  23. 2 Corinthians 12:10 : 2 Cor 6:4
  24. 2 Corinthians 12:10 : 2 Cor 5:15, 20
  25. 2 Corinthians 12:10 : 2 Cor 13:4
  26. 2 Corinthians 12:11 : 2 Cor 5:13; 11:16f; 12:6
  27. 2 Corinthians 12:11 : 1 Cor 15:10; 2 Cor 11:5
  28. 2 Corinthians 12:11 : 1 Cor 3:7; 13:2; 15:9
  29. 2 Corinthians 12:12 : John 4:48; Rom 15:19; 1 Cor 9:1
  30. 2 Corinthians 12:13 : 1 Cor 9:12, 18; 2 Cor 11:9; 12:14
  31. 2 Corinthians 12:13 : 2 Cor 11:7
  32. 2 Corinthians 12:14 : 2 Cor 1:15; 13:1, 2
  33. 2 Corinthians 12:14 : 1 Cor 9:12, 18; 2 Cor 11:9; 12:13
  34. 2 Corinthians 12:14 : 1 Cor 10:24, 33
  35. 2 Corinthians 12:14 : 1 Cor 9:19
  36. 2 Corinthians 12:14 : 1 Cor 4:14f; Gal 4:19
  37. 2 Corinthians 12:14 : Prov 19:14; Ezek 34:2
  38. 2 Corinthians 12:15 : Rom 9:3; 2 Cor 1:6; Phil 2:17; Col 1:24; 1 Thess 2:8; 2 Tim 2:10
  39. 2 Corinthians 12:15 : 2 Cor 11:11
  40. 2 Corinthians 12:16 : 2 Cor 11:9
  41. 2 Corinthians 12:16 : 2 Cor 11:20
  42. 2 Corinthians 12:17 : 2 Cor 9:5
  43. 2 Corinthians 12:18 : 2 Cor 8:6
  44. 2 Corinthians 12:18 : 2 Cor 2:13
  45. 2 Corinthians 12:18 : 2 Cor 8:18
  46. 2 Corinthians 12:18 : 1 Cor 4:21
  47. 2 Corinthians 12:18 : Rom 4:12
  48. 2 Corinthians 12:19 : Rom 9:1; 2 Cor 2:17
  49. 2 Corinthians 12:19 : Rom 14:19; 2 Cor 10:8; 1 Thess 5:11
  50. 2 Corinthians 12:19 : Heb 6:9
  51. 2 Corinthians 12:20 : 1 Cor 4:21; 2 Cor 2:1-4
  52. 2 Corinthians 12:20 : 1 Cor 1:11; 3:3
  53. 2 Corinthians 12:20 : Gal 5:20
  54. 2 Corinthians 12:20 : Rom 2:8; 1 Cor 11:19
  55. 2 Corinthians 12:20 : Rom 1:30; James 4:11; 1 Pet 2:1
  56. 2 Corinthians 12:20 : Rom 1:29
  57. 2 Corinthians 12:20 : 1 Cor 4:6, 18; 5:2
  58. 2 Corinthians 12:20 : 1 Cor 14:33
  59. 2 Corinthians 12:21 : 2 Cor 13:2
  60. 2 Corinthians 12:21 : 1 Cor 6:9, 18; Gal 5:19; Col 3:5

You Might Also Like:

2 Corinthians 12 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

12 To boast, really, is not profitable for me, for I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I have known a man in Christ, fourteen years ago -- whether in the body I have not known, whether out of the body I have not known, God hath known -- such an one being caught away unto the third ...
Read More

2 Corinthians 12 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

12 If it behooveth to have glory, it speedeth not; but I shall come to the visions and the revelations of the Lord. [If it behooveth to glory, soothly it speedeth not; forsooth I shall come to the visions and revelations of the Lord.] 2 I know a man in Christ that before fourteen years; whether in b...
Read More

2 Corinthians 12 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

12 I must talk about myself even though it does no good. I will talk about visions and things which the Lord has shown me. 2 I know a Christian man. Fourteen years ago he was taken up into the place where God lives. I do not know if he was in his body when he went or not. God knows if he was. 3 I do...
Read More

2 Corinthians 12 - World English Bible (WEB)

12 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. For I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven fourteen years ago—whether in the body, I don’t know, or whether out of the body, I don’t know; God knows. 3 I know such a man...
Read More

2 Corinthians 12 - The Voice (VOICE)

Sincerity is a difficult thing to judge. The commitment that people have to a cause can only be determined over time. One test might be: do they persevere through hardships and challenges? In this regard, Paul is without equal. If the cause of Jesus were a fleeting interest or a halfhearted pursuit,...
Read More

2 Corinthians 12 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Boasting in Visions and Weakness12 I must go on boasting—though it does no good, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Messiah (whether in the body I don’t know, or whether out of the body I don’t know—God knows)—fourteen years ago, he was caught up to the third hea...
Read More

2 Corinthians 12 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Paul’s Visions and Revelations12 I must boast; there is nothing to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 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 do not know, God knows. 3 And I kn...
Read More

2 Corinthians 12 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

12 Doubtless, it is not profitable for me to boast. Yet, I will now come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 More than fourteen years ago I knew a man in Christ, (whether he was in the body, I cannot tell, or out of the body, I cannot tell; God knows.) who was taken up into the third heaven. 3...
Read More

2 Corinthians 12 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

The Vision and the Thorn12 I just have to boast – not that there’s anything to be gained by it; but I’ll go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 Someone I know in the Messiah, fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know, though God knows), was snatched up to the ...
Read More

2 Corinthians 12 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Paul’s Visions and Revelations12 It is necessary to boast; nothing is to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows.(A)3...
Read More

2 Corinthians 12 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

Paul is taken up into the third heaven and hears words not to be spoken of. 12 No doubt it is not seemly for me to boast. Nevertheless, I will come to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ about fourteen years ago (whether he was in the body I cannot tell, or whether he wa...
Read More

2 Corinthians 12 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Paul’s Vision and His Thorn in the Flesh12 This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I[a] was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. 3 Yes...
Read More

2 Corinthians 12 - New Life Version (NLV)

Paul Sees Something True in a Special Dream12 I have to talk about myself, even if it does no good. But I will keep on telling about some things I saw in a special dream and that which the Lord has shown me. 2 I know a man who belongs to Christ. Fourteen years ago he was taken up to the highest hea...
Read More

2 Corinthians 12 - New King James Version (NKJV)

The Vision of Paradise12 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...
Read More

61 Bible Translations

Popular Articles

Explore the Bible Like Never Before!

Bible History Online

Bible Study Tools

Top Tags