2nd Corinthians — 12
The Vision of Shaul and His Thorn in the Flesh
1 This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH.
2 I was caught up to the third Shamaym fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I do not know, only 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH knows.
3 Yes, only 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know
4 That I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no man is allowed to tell.
5 That experience is worth boasting about, but I am not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses.
6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I will not do it, because I do not want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message,
7 Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from
𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from ha'shatan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
8 Three different times I begged Ha'Mashyach to take it away.
9 Each time he said, “My favor is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Ha'Mashyach can work through me.
10 That is why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Ha'Mashyach. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
The Concern of Shaul for the Corinthians
11 You have made me act like a fool. You ought to be writing commendations for me, for I am not at all inferior to these “super Shaliach,” even though I am nothing at all.
12 When I was with you, I certainly gave you proof that I am a Shaliach. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you.
13 The only thing I failed to do, which I do in the other Qadash Assemblies, was to become a financial burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong!
14 Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I do not want what you have, I want you. After all, children do not provide for their parents. Rather, parents provide for their children.
15 I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me.
16 Some of you admit I was not a burden to you. But others still think I was sneaky and took advantage of you by trickery.
17 But how? Did any of the men I sent to you take advantage of you?
18 When I urged Titus to visit you and sent our other brother with him, did Titus take advantage of you? No! For we have the same ruach and walk in steps of each other, doing things the same way.
19 Perhaps you think we are saying these things just to defend ourselves. No, we tell you this as the servants of Ha'Mashyach, and with 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH as our witness. Everything we do, dear friends, is to strengthen you.
20 For I am afraid that when I come I will not like what I find, and you will not like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior.
21 Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH will humble me in your presence. And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure.