{"meta":{"source":"Prime Bible","sourceUrl":"https://primebible.com","license":"Public domain (translation text); see citation policy at /citation-policy","organization":"501(c)(3) nonprofit — EIN 41-2531951","canonicalUrl":"https://primebible.com/erv/2-corinthians/12","llmTxt":"https://primebible.com/llms.txt","generatedAt":"2026-05-30T14:40:03.731Z"},"reference":{"translation":"ERV","book":"2 Corinthians","bookSlug":"2-corinthians","chapter":12,"testament":"NEW"},"navigation":{"previousChapter":11,"nextChapter":13,"totalChapters":13,"totalVerses":21},"verses":[{"verseNumber":1,"text":"I must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord."},{"verseNumber":2,"text":"I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to the third heaven."},{"verseNumber":3,"text":"And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth),"},{"verseNumber":4,"text":"how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter."},{"verseNumber":5,"text":"On behalf of such a one will I glory: but on mine own behalf I will not glory, save in my weaknesses."},{"verseNumber":6,"text":"For if I should desire to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I shall speak the truth: but I forbear, lest any man should account of me above that which he seeth me to be, or heareth from me."},{"verseNumber":7,"text":"And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations—wherefore, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch."},{"verseNumber":8,"text":"Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me."},{"verseNumber":9,"text":"And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."},{"verseNumber":10,"text":"Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."},{"verseNumber":11,"text":"I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing."},{"verseNumber":12,"text":"Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, by signs and wonders and mighty works."},{"verseNumber":13,"text":"For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the churches, except it be that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this wrong."},{"verseNumber":14,"text":"Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be a burden to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children."},{"verseNumber":15,"text":"And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?"},{"verseNumber":16,"text":"But be it so, I did not myself burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with guile."},{"verseNumber":17,"text":"Did I take advantage of you by any one of them whom I have sent unto you?"},{"verseNumber":18,"text":"I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? walked we not by the same Spirit? walked we not in the same steps?"},{"verseNumber":19,"text":"Ye think all this time that we are excusing ourselves unto you. In the sight of God speak we in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying."},{"verseNumber":20,"text":"For I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you not such as I would, and should myself be found of you such as ye would not; lest by any means there should be strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults;"},{"verseNumber":21,"text":"lest, when I come again, my God should humble me before you, and I should mourn for many of them that have sinned heretofore, and repented not of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they committed."}],"citation":{"inline":"2 Corinthians 12 (ERV)","markdown":"[2 Corinthians 12](https://primebible.com/erv/2-corinthians/12)","sbl":"Prime Bible. *The Bible.* ERV. https://primebible.com/erv/2-corinthians/12 (accessed 2026-05-30)."}}