2 Corinthians 12:9-21 ▼

9 And He has said to me, “My grace suffices for you, for the power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, rather, I will boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I am well pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions and difficulties—for Christ; for when I may be weak, then I am powerful.

11 I have become a fool; you⁺ compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you⁺. For in nothing was I lacking to the “most eminent apostles,” even if I am nothing.

12 Indeed, the signs of the apostle were performed among you⁺ in all perseverance, both in signs and wonders and miracles.

13 For in what is it that you⁺ were inferior beyond the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you⁺? Forgive me this wrong!

14 Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you⁺, and I will not be a burden. For I do not seek what is yours⁺, but you⁺. For the children ought not to treasure up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

15 Now I will spend most gladly, and will be utterly spent for your⁺ souls. If loving you⁺ more abundantly, am I loved less?

16 But be it so, I did not burden you⁺; but being crafty, I took you⁺ by trickery.

17 By any of whom I have sent to you⁺, did I take advantage of you⁺ by him?

18 I exhorted Titus to go, and I sent with him the brother. Did Titus take advantage of you⁺? Did we not walk in the same Spirit? Not in the same footsteps?

19 Do you⁺ think all along that we are making a defense to you⁺? We speak in Christ before God, and all things, beloved, for your⁺ edification.

20 For I fear lest somehow, having come, I might not find you⁺ such as I wish, and I might be found by you⁺ such as you⁺ do not wish; lest somehow there is strife, jealousy, rage, rivalries, slander, gossip, conceit, disorder;

21 lest on my having come again, my God should humble me as to you⁺, and I should mourn many of those having before sinned and not having repented of the impurity and sexual immorality and sensuality that they have practiced.