2 Corinthians 12

English Standard Version

from Crossway
1 I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. (Ga 1:12; Ga 2:2; Eph 3:3)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. (Ps 148:4; Eze 8:3; Ac 8:39; 2Co 5:17; 2Co 11:11; 2Co 12:3; 1Th 4:17; Re 12:5)3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— (Ge 2:8; Lu 23:43; 2Co 12:2; Re 2:7)4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— (1Co 2:3)6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. (2Co 5:13; 2Co 11:16; 2Co 12:11)7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,[1] a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. (Nu 33:55; Eze 28:24; Lu 13:16; 1Co 5:5; 2Co 10:10)8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. (Mt 26:44)9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (Isa 40:29; Isa 43:2; 1Co 2:5; Php 4:13)10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (Mt 5:11; Ro 5:3; 2Co 5:15; 2Co 13:4)11 I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. (1Co 3:7; 1Co 15:9; 1Co 15:10; 2Co 11:5; 2Co 12:6)12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. (Ro 15:19; 1Co 9:1; 2Co 6:4)13 For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong! (Ac 20:33; 1Co 9:12)14 Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. (Pr 19:14; Eze 34:2; 1Co 4:14; 1Co 10:24; 1Co 10:33; 2Co 1:15; 2Co 13:1; 2Co 13:2)15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? (2Co 1:6; 2Co 6:11; Php 2:17; Col 1:24; 1Th 2:8; 2Ti 2:10)16 But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit. (2Co 11:9)17 Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? (2Co 9:5)18 I urged Titus to go, and sent 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? (2Co 8:6; 2Co 8:18)19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. (Ro 1:9; Ro 9:1; 1Co 14:26)20 For I fear that perhaps 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. (1Co 4:21; 2Co 2:1)21 I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced. (1Co 5:1; 1Co 6:18; 2Co 13:2; Re 2:21)

2 Corinthians 12

圣经当代译本修订版

from Biblica
1 自夸虽然无益,但我不得不继续夸下去,谈谈主给我的异象和启示。2 我知道一位基督徒[1]在十四年前曾被提到第三层天上,是在肉身之内还是在肉身之外,我不知道,只有上帝知道。3 我认识这个人,是在肉身之内还是在肉身之外,我不知道,只有上帝知道。4 他曾被提到天上的乐园里,听见了人不可以言传的隐秘事。5 我要为这人夸口。至于我自己,我除了夸耀自己的软弱以外,别无可夸。6 就算我夸口,也不算狂妄,因为我所说的都是实话。只是我不会这样做,恐怕有人把我看得太高,超过了他对我的所见所闻。7 为了使我不至于因所受的启示太大而自高,有一根“刺”在我身上,就是有撒旦的爪牙攻击我,免得我骄傲自大。8 我曾三次祈求主叫这根刺离开我,9 但祂说:“我的恩典足够你用,因为我的能力在人的软弱上更显得全备。”所以,我更喜欢夸耀自己的软弱,好让基督的能力荫庇我。10 因此,为了基督的缘故,我欣然面对软弱、凌辱、迫害、艰难和困苦,因为我软弱的时候也正是我刚强的时候。11 我成了“傻瓜”是被你们逼的!你们本该称许我才对。我虽然算不了什么,却没有一点比不上那些“超级使徒”。12 我在你们中间百般地忍耐,用神迹、奇事、异能证明自己是使徒。13 你们什么地方不及其他教会呢?我唯一“亏待”你们的地方就是没有成为你们的负担!希望各位原谅我的不公道!14 如今我打算第三次到你们那里。我不会拖累你们的,因为我想得到的是你们,而不是你们的财物。儿女不必为父母积财,父母理当为儿女积财。15 为了你们的灵魂,我甘愿付出,包括自己的生命。难道我越爱你们,就越得不到你们的爱吗?16 算了!我没有拖累过你们,但居然有人说我狡猾,用诡计骗你们。17 请问,在我派到你们那里的人当中,我借着谁占过你们的便宜呢?18 我恳求提多去你们那里,并派弟兄与他同去。难道提多占过你们的便宜吗?我们行事为人岂不是心灵相通,步调一致吗?19 你们一直以为我们是替自己辩白,其实我们这番话是在基督里、在上帝面前说的。亲爱的弟兄姊妹,这一切都是为了造就你们。20 因为我怕到你们那里的时候,我对你们的期望会落空,而你们对我也大失所望。我怕你们当中有纷争、嫉妒、恼怒、仇恨、毁谤、闲话、狂傲和混乱。21 我怕再去你们那里时,我的上帝会使我在你们面前感到羞愧,又怕看到许多从前犯罪、道德败坏、淫乱放荡的人仍然不肯悔改,便心里悲伤。