2 Corinthians 12 It is necessary for one to boast from time to time – though indeed not beneficial or expedient – so I will proceed in coming unto the subject of visions and unveilings of the Lord (or: = from Christ or Yahweh). (or: other MSS: If (or: Since) it is necessary to continue boasting, {it}; still other MSS: Now to repeatedly boast indeed does not normally bring people together, so I will continue moving on to sights, apparitions and appearances, as well as revelations and disclosures, whose source and origin are the Lord, or, which are the Lord).

JMNT⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ It is necessary for one to boast from time to time – though indeed not beneficial or expedient – so I will proceed in coming unto [the subject of] visions and unveilings of [the] Lord (or: = from Christ or Yahweh). (or: [other MSS: If (or: Since) it is necessary to continue boasting, {it}; still other MSS: Now to repeatedly boast] indeed does not normally bring [people] together, so I will continue moving on to sights, apparitions and appearances, as well as revelations and disclosures, whose source and origin are [the] Lord, or, which are [the] Lord). ² I am acquainted with a person (or: a man; a human) in Christ (or: within the midst of Christ; in union with [the] Anointed) more than fourteen years ago – whether in body (or: in a body), I am not aware; whether outside of the body, I am not aware; God has seen and knows (is aware) – being snatched away (dragged off; seized and taken) as such, as far as [the; or: a] third heaven (or: atmosphere). ³ Further, I have seen and know such a person (man; human) – whether in body or apart from the body, I know not; God knows – ⁴ that was snatched away (seized and taken) into the Paradise and heard inexpressible gush-effects and utterances (unutterable sayings and results of a flow; unspeakable results of movement and flux; inexpressible matters and declarations) which are not being from out of existence (or: which are not continuing from within the midst of being; or: which it continues being not right; or: for which there is no privilege or authority; which are not being possible; which are not being allowed) in a person (to mankind; for a human) to at any point speak. ⁵ I will boast over such a person, yet over myself I will not continue boasting – except in my weaknesses, ⁶ for if I should ever want or intend to boast, I shall not be senseless (unintelligent; unreasonable; imprudent), for I will continue declaring reality (truth). Yet I continue being reticent (continue refraining) and no one should account into me [anything] above (or: over) what he continues seeing [in] and observing [of] me, or hearing from me. ⁷ And now, in the excess of the unveilings (or: with the transcendence of the revelations; by the extraordinary amount and surpassing nature of the disclosures), through this [situation] and for this reason – so that I could not be progressively exalted (or: would not continue being overly lifted up [in myself or by others]) – something with [its] point in [my] flesh is given in me (or: an impaling-stake for the human nature was given for me; or: a thorn to the natural realm, and a splinter by alienated humanity, was assigned to me): an agent of (or: a messenger from) the adversary, to the end that he (or: it) could (or: should; would) repeatedly beat me in the face (or: slap me on the ear) with his (or: its) fist. [comment: this personification of the irritation may well be metaphorical and may refer to his social or cultural-religious situation] ⁸ I called the Lord [Christ or Yahweh] alongside for relief, ease and comfort, and entreated [Him] three times over (or: about) this, so that he (or: it) would (or: should) at once stand away and withdraw from me, ⁹ and yet He has said to me – and His declaration stands, "My grace is continuously sufficient in you (or: My joyous favor is constantly adequate to ward [it] off for you), for you see, ability (or: the [other MSS read: My] power) is habitually brought to its goal (or: finished; perfected; matured) within the midst of weakness (or: in union with lack of strength and infirmity)." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather continue boasting within the midst of and in union with weakness, to the end that the ability of the Christ (or: the Anointed One's power) can pitch its tent (or: should tabernacle) upon me (or: = set up residence upon me during this transient life and journey; perhaps: = fulfill the type of the Feast of Tabernacles with me; or: = be my house from heaven; [cf: ch. 5:1])! ¹⁰ Wherefore I habitually delight and take pleasure within weaknesses (or: in union with lack of strength or infirmity); in the midst of outrageous insults and ignominious situations of mistreatment; in union with pressured necessities; in the midst of pursuits for persecution and cramped situations over and on behalf of Christ, for whenever I continue being (or: may periodically be) weak, then I am powerful (or: I then exist being capable)! ¹¹ I have become unreasonable (senseless; imprudent; foolish) – you, yourselves, compel me (press and force me; = drive me to it!) – for I myself ought to have been being constantly recommended (placed together with and commended) by you folks, because not even in one thing did I come behind (or: am I deficient from or inferior to) the "very-overly" [pretentious and condescending] emissaries (or: representatives), even though I am nothing (or: since I also exist being nothing!). ¹² Indeed, the signs of the emissary (the sent-forth representative) were produced and accomplished [by me] among you folks in every [situation] of humbly remaining under to give support (or: in all patient endurance) – as well as by signs and wonders (portents; marvels) and powers (or: in abilities and capabilities). ¹³ So what is there in which you folks were treated as inferior, or made worse off, above (= more than) the rest of the called-out folks (or: communities), except that for myself, I myself was not a "dead weight" for (= and idle encumbrance, hence, a financial burden to) you folks? Give grace to me for this unfairness (wrong; injustice)! ¹⁴ Look (or: Consider)! This third time I continue holding [myself] ready and prepared to come to (or: go toward) you folks – and I will not proceed in being "dead weight" (an encumbrance or burden), for I am not habitually seeking your "things" (your possessions), but to the contrary, you. For the children ought not to be habitually storing up and accumulating [material resources] for the parents, but rather, the parents [should do this] for the children. ¹⁵ So I myself most gladly shall spend (pay the expenses) – even be completely spent (exhausted; bankrupted) – over (on behalf of) your souls. Even if I am constantly loving you excessively, I am habitually being loved less. (or: And since I am continuously loving you more abundantly {or: too much}, am I being loved less?) ¹⁶ Yet, let it continue to be. I myself do not (or: did not) overburden or weigh you down. Nonetheless, being inherently ready to do anything and capable for every work, [you say that] I caught you, taking you by bait (as used for fish)! ¹⁷ Not anyone whom I have sent off to you folks [did this]! Did I take advantage of you through him? ¹⁸ I called Titus alongside, urged [him] and sent [him] off, together with the (or: [his]) brother (or: = fellow believer and member of the Family), as an emissary (sent-off representative). Surely Titus did not take advantage of you! Do we not walk about in the same Spirit (or: = Do we not live and order our lives with the same attitude)? Not in the same footprints? ¹⁹ All this time [other MSS: Again] do you folks continue thinking (supposing; presuming) that we are repeatedly making a verbal defense to you? Down [here] in God's stead and place, we are constantly speaking within Christ and in union with [the] Anointing. And the whole (all [these] things), beloved ones, [is (are)] over (on behalf of) your edification (your upbuilding; the construction of your house). ²⁰ So you see, I continue being afraid, lest somehow – on coming – I may not find you folks such as I habitually intend (purpose; desire) – and I myself may be found by you [to be one] such as you folks continue not desiring – lest somehow [I may find] strife (contention; quarreling), jealousy, outbursts of emotions or swellings of anger, selfish ambition and factious rivalry, backbitings (down-babblings; slanderous conversations), whisperings (occasions of malicious gossiping), situations of puffing up (inflations of pride), disorders (situations of unrest; turbulences; losses of tranquility; instabilities). ²¹ My God will [other MSS: may] not again be repeatedly humbling me toward you folks, at my coming, and yet I may mourn and grieve over many of those having before failed (missed the target; sinned) – continuing thus – and not even once repenting or changing their views upon the uncleanness and fornication (sexual immorality; prostitution) and loose conduct (blatant licentiousness) which they practice.