1  Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2  Receive us [in your hearts]. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have defrauded no one.

2  Open your hearts to us: we wronged no man, we corrupted no man, we took advantage of no man.

2  Be patient; my brethren, we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.

3  I do not speak to condemn you; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, so that we die together and we live together.

3  I am not saying this to your condemnation. For we have told you before that you are in our hearts: to die together and to live together.

3  I do not say this to condemn you: for I have said before, that you are in our hearts, to die and live with you.

4  Great is my confidence toward you, great is my boasting concerning you. I have been filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.

4  Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying on your behalf: I am filled with comfort, I overflow with joy in all our affliction.

4  I am familiar enough to speak boldly with you, and I am very proud of you: and I am filled with satisfaction, and I am overwhelmed with joy in all our troubles.

5  For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side; outside [were] fightings, inside [were] fears.

5  Then, too, when we had arrived in Macedonia, our flesh had no rest. Instead, we suffered every tribulation: exterior conflicts, interior fears.

5  For ever since we came to Mac-e-doÆni-a, our bodies have had no rest but have been troubled by everything; war without and fears within.

6  Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,

6  Nevertheless he that comforteth the lowly, [even] God, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

6  But God, who consoles the humble, consoled us by the arrival of Titus,

7  and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted over you, as he reported to us your earnest longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.

7  And not by his coming only, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, for he brought us the good news concerning your love towards us, your mourning and your zeal on our behalf; and when I heard it, I rejoiced exceedingly.

8  Because even if I made you sorry in the letter, I do not regret it, even if I did regret it. For I perceive that the same letter made you sorry, though only for a season.

8  For though I made you sorry with my epistle, I do not regret it: though I did regret [it] (for I see that that epistle made you sorry, though but for a season),

8  For even though I made you feel sorry with the epistle, I do not regret, even though it has caused sorrow: for I can see that though that very epistle has made you feel sorry, the sorrow was only for an hour.

9  Now I rejoice, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led to repentance; for you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.

9  But it has made me exceedingly happy, not that you were sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance: for you were sorry over the things of God, so that you lack nothing from us.

10  For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, without regret; but worldly sorrow produces death.

10  For the sorrow that is according to God accomplishes a repentance which is steadfast unto salvation. But the sorrow that is of the world accomplishes death.

10  For sorrow over the things of God causes enduring repentance of the soul, and brings one to life: but sorrow over the things of the world causes death.

11  For behold this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner, how much diligence it produced in you, even an eagerness to defend, even indignation, even fear, even longing, even zeal, even vengeance! In all things you demonstrated yourselves to be pure in this matter.

11  So consider this same idea, being sorrowful according to God, and what great solicitude it accomplishes in you: including protection, and indignation, and fear, and desire, and zeal, and vindication. In all things, you have shown yourselves to be uncorrupted by this sorrow.

12  Therefore, although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of him who did the wrong, nor for the sake of him who was wronged, but so that your diligence on our behalf might be made known to you before God.

12  So although I wrote unto you, I [wrote] not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be made manifest unto you in the sight of God.

12  And so, though I wrote to you, it was not because of him who caused the injury, nor because of him who suffered from it, but so as to manifest our solicitude, which we have for you before God.

13  Because of this we have been comforted. And in your comfort we rejoiced exceedingly more over the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.

13  Therefore, we have been consoled. But in our consolation, we have rejoiced even more abundantly over the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by all of you.

13  Therefore we were comforted and with our consolation we rejoiced exceedingly in the joy of Titus, for his spirit was refreshed by you all.

14  Because if in anything I have boasted to him concerning you, I was not put to shame, but as we spoke all things to you in truth, thus also our boasting to Titus became truth.

14  For if in anything I have gloried to him on your behalf, I was not put to shame; but as we spake all things to you in truth, so our glorying also which I made before Titus was found to be truth.

15  And his affections are far greater toward you as he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him.

15  And his feelings are now more abundant toward you, since he remembers the obedience of you all, and how you received him with fear and trembling.

16  [Therefore] I rejoice that in everything I am confident in you.

16  I rejoice that in everything I am of good courage concerning you.

8:1  Now we make known to you brothers, the grace of God which has been given to the churches of Macedonia,

1  MOREOVER, our brethren, we want you to know that the grace of God has been bestowed on the churches of Mac-e-doÆni-a

8:2  how that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their generosity.

2  For within a great experience of tribulation, they have had an abundance of joy, and their profound poverty has only increased the richness of their simplicity.

8:3  For I bear witness that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing,

3  For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, [they gave] of their own accord,

3  And I bear witness to them, that they were willing to accept what was in accord with their ability, and even what was beyond their ability.

8:4  with much appeal, begging us [for ]the grace and the fellowship of the ministry to the saints-

4  beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints

8:5  and not as we hoped, but they first gave their own selves to YHWH, and then to us by the will of God,

5  And this is beyond what we had hoped, since they gave themselves, first of all to the Lord, and then also to us, through the will of God,

8:6  so that we urged Titus, that just as he had begun before, thus he would also finish this grace also in you.

6  Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also.

8:7  But as you abound in everything-in faith, in word, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us-see that you abound in this grace also.

8:8  I speak not by a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love by means of the diligence of others.

8  I am speaking, not commanding. But through the solicitude of others, I approve of the good character of your charity.

8  I am not making a demand on you, but I am prompted by the devotion of your fellow believers to test the sincerity of your love.

8:9  For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet on account of you He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

8:10  And I give [my] opinion in this: For this is profitable for you, who not only previously began doing [this], but also desired to, since last year.

10  Herein I give you my advice: that it may help you to go forward and accomplish what you, of your own accord, began to do last year.

8:11  And now also complete doing [it]; that as indeed there[ was ]the readiness to desire [it], thus also there[ may be] the completion from what you have.

11  So, truly now, accomplish this in deed, so that, in the same manner as your willing mind is prompted, you may also act, out of that which you have.

11  Now therefore perform the doing of that which you wished to do; and as you were eager to promise it, so fulfil from that which you have.

8:12  For if there is first a readiness, it is acceptable according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.

12  For if there is a willingness to give, every man can give according to that which he has, and not according to that which he has not, and his gift will be acceptable.

8:13  For I do not [mean] that others should be relieved and you burdened;

13  For [I say] not [this] that others may be eased [and] ye distressed;

13  And it is not that others should be relieved, while you are troubled, but that there should be an equality.

8:14  but by way of equality, that now at the present time your abundance [may supply] their need, that their abundance also may supply your need, in order that there may be equality.

14  But that there may be an equality at this particular time, that your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want, that there may be equality.

8:15  As it is written, "He [who ga]there[d] much did not have too much, and he [who gathered] little had no lack."

15  “He with more did not have too much; and he with less did not have too little.”

8:16  But thanks be to God who puts the same earnest care for you in the heart of Titus.

8:17  Because he accepted my appeal, but being more diligent, he came to you of his own accord.

17  For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord.

17  For indeed he has accepted our appeal; and because he was very desirous, he went to you of his own accord.

8:18  And we sent together with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches,

18  And we have also sent with him our brother, who has received praise throughout all the churches for his preaching of the gospel;

8:19  and not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches as our traveling companion with this gift, which is ministered by us to the glory of YHWH Himself and [to show] our readiness-

19  So that he also has been chosen by the churches to travel with us for this relief which is administered by us to the very glory of God and for our own encouragement

8:20  avoiding this, lest anyone should blame us in this abundance which is ministered by us;

20  So let us avoid this, lest anyone disparage us over the abundance that is ministered by us.

20  But we are careful in this, lest any one should blame us in connection with this generous help which is administered by us.

8:21  having regard for honorable things, not only before YHWH, but also before men.

21  for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

8:22  And we sent together with them our brother whom we often approved in many things, being diligent, but now [being ]much more diligent, by [his] great confidence in you.

22  and we have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which [he hath] in you.

22  And we have also sent with them our brother, whom we have proven to be frequently solicitous in many matters. But now there is a greater solicitousness, which is greatly entrusted to you;

8:23  If [anyone inquires ]about Titus, [he is] my partner and fellow worker concerning you; or if our brothers [are inquired about], [they are] messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.

23  and whether it concerns Titus, who is a companion to me and a helper to you, or whether it concerns our brothers, the Apostles of the churches, it is to the glory of Christ.

8:24  Therefore show to them the proof of your love, and of our boasting concerning you, before the churches.

24  Henceforth you can shew to them before all the churches the proof of your love and of our pride in you.

9:1  Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is unnecessary for me to write to you;

1  For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you

1  Now, concerning the ministry that is done toward the saints, it is not necessary for me to write to you.

9:2  for I know your readiness, about which I boast concerning you to the Macedonians, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has provoked the majority.

2  For I know that you have made up your minds, and that is why I boasted of you to the Macedonians stating that A-chaÆia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up a great many people.

9:3  And I have sent the brothers, lest our boasting about you lose its justification in this matter, that just as I said, you may be prepared,

3  But I have sent the brethren, that our glorying on your behalf may not be made void in this respect; that, even as I said, ye may be prepared

3  Now I have sent the brothers, so that what we glory about concerning you might be not be empty in this matter, in order that (as I have explained) you may be prepared.

9:4  lest perhaps if [some] Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this confident boasting.

9:5  Therefore I thought it necessary to urge the brothers, that they should go before [me] to you, and should arrange in advance your generous gift, which you had previously promised, [that] this would be ready, thus as a blessing and not as grudgingly given.

5  I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your aforepromised bounty, that the same might be ready as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion.

5  Therefore, I considered it necessary to ask the brothers to go to you in advance and to prepare this blessing as promised, and in this way, you may be ready as a blessing, not as an excess.

9:6  But this I say: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

6  But remember this, He who sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he who sows generously shall reap also generously.

9:7  Let each [one give] just as he decides in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

9:8  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that in everything always having all sufficiency, you may abound for every good work,

8  God is able to make all goodness abound to you, and may you always have enough of everything for yourselves, and may you abound in every good work

9:9  just as it is written: "He has dispersed, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever."

9  as it is written, He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor; His righteousness abideth for ever.

9  just as it was written: “He has distributed widely, he has given to the poor; his justice remains from age to age.”

9:10  Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness;

10  And he who ministers seed to the sower will offer you bread to eat, and will multiply your seed, and will increase the growth of the fruits of your justice.

9:11  in everything being made rich to all generosity, which produces thanksgiving through us to God.

11  So then, having been enriched in all things, you may abound in all simplicity, which works thanksgiving to God through us.

11  That you may be enriched in everything, in all liberality, for such generosity enables us to perfect thanksgiving to God.

9:12  Because the ministry of this service not only is supplying the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,

12  For the ministration of this service not only filleth up the measure of the wants of the saints, but aboundeth also through many thanksgivings unto God;

12  For the administration of this service not only supplies the wants of the saints, but it also is made abundant by many thanksgivings to God.

9:13  while through the approved character of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and [for the] generosity of your sharing toward them and toward all,

9:14  and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.

14  while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, long after you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.

14  and they offer prayers for you, being solicitous about you, because of the excellent grace of God within you.

9:15  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

10:1  Now I, Paul, myself appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I who face to face [am] lowly among you, but when I am away am bold toward you.

10:2  But I beseech [you] that when I am present I may not be bold with the confidence with which I plan to be bold toward some, who consider us as walking according to the flesh.

2  I beseech you, that when I arrive, not to be troubled by the things which I hope to carry out, for it is my purpose to put to scorn those men who regard us as if we lived after the flesh.

10:3  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

10:4  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty by God to the pulling down of strongholds,

4  For the weapons which we use are not earthly weapons, but of the might of God by which we conquer rebellious strongholds;

10:5  casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ,

5  and height that extols itself contrary to the wisdom of God, and leading every intellect into the captivity of obedience to Christ,

10:6  and being ready to avenge every act of disobedience, whenever your obedience is fulfilled.

6  and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience shall be made full.

6  And we are prepared to seek vengeance on those who are disobedient, when your obedience is fulfilled.

10:7  Do you look at things as they appear? If anyone has persuaded himself that he is Christ's, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ's, even so we are Christ's.

7  Consider the things that are in accord with appearances. If anyone trusts that by these things he belongs to Christ, let him reconsider this within himself. For just as he belongs to Christ, so also do we.

7  Do you judge by outward appearance? If any man thinks of himself that he belongs to Christ, let him know this of himself, that just as he belongs to Christ, so we also belong.

10:8  For even if I should boast somewhat more concerning our authority, which YHWH gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I will not be ashamed,

8  For though I should glory somewhat abundantly concerning our authority (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down), I shall not be put to shame

8  For if I should boast somewhat more of the authority which our LORD has given me, I should not be ashamed, for he has given it to us for your edification, and not for your destruction.

10:9  lest I seem to terrify you by my letters.

9  But let it not be said that I am scaring you by means of epistles.

10:10  "For his letters,"they say, "are severe and boisterous, but his bodily presence [is] feeble, and his speech amounts to nothing."

10  For, His letters, they say, are weighty and strong; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.

10  For there are men who say that his epistles are weighty and powerful; but his bodily appearance is weak, and his speech foolish.

10:11  Let such a person consider this, that of what sort we are in word by letters when we are absent, of such a kind [we will] also [be] in deed when we are present.

11  Let someone like this realize that whatever we are in word through epistles, while absent: we are much the same in deed, while present.

11  But let him who supposes so consider this, that, just as we express ourselves in our epistles when we are away, so are we also in deed when we are present.

10:12  For we dare not to class ourselves or to compare ourselves with those who commend themselves, but they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, do not understand.

12  For we would not dare to interpose or compare ourselves with certain ones who commend themselves. But we measure ourselves by ourselves, and we compare ourselves with ourselves.

10:13  But we will not boast beyond limits, but according to the measure of the sphere [of influence ]which God assigned us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.

13  Thus, we will not glory beyond our measure, but rather according to the measure of the limit which God has measured out to us, a measure which extends even to you.

13  We do not boast beyond our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God has distributed to us, a measure to reach even to you.

10:14  For we are not overextending ourselves, as though our authority did not reach to you, for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ;

14  For we stretch not ourselves overmuch, as though we reached not unto you: for we came even as far as unto you in the gospel of Christ

14  It is not because we are unable to climb where you are; nor are trying to misrepresent ourselves; for we have climbed where we are through the gospel of Christ

10:15  not boasting beyond the limits in the labors of others, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you according to our sphere [of influence],

15  We are not glorying immeasurably over the labors of others. Instead, we hold on to the hope of your growing faith, so as to be magnified in you, according to our own limits, but in abundance,

15  And we do not boast of things beyond our measure; that is, by other menÆs labor, but we have the hope, that when your faith grows, our pride shall be justified according to our measure.

10:16  to preach the gospel to the [regions] beyond you, [and] not to boast in the things done in the sphere [of influence] of others.

16  and even so as to evangelize in those places that are beyond you, not in order to glory in the measure of others, but rather in those things which have already been prepared.

10:17  But "he who boasts, let him boast in YHWH."

17  But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

10:18  For not he who commends himself is approved, but he[ ]whom YHWH commends.

18  For it is not he who commends himself who is approved, but rather he whom God commends.

11:1  Oh, that you would bear with me a little in my foolishness; but indeed you do bear with me.

1  I WISH you to be patient with me for a while, so that I may speak plainly, and I am sure you will be.

11:2  For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy, for I have betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

11:3  But I fear, lest perhaps as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

3  But I am afraid, that just as the serpent through his deceitfulness misled Eve, so your minds should be corrupted from the sincerity that is in Christ.

11:4  For if he who comes [to you ]preaches another Jesus whom we did not preach, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you did not accept, you may well put up with him!

4  For if anyone arrives preaching another Christ, one whom we have not preached; or if you receive another Spirit, one whom you have not received; or another Gospel, one which you have not been given: you might permit him to guide you.

4  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

11:5  For I consider [myself] [in] nothing to have been inferior to the most super apostles.

5  For I reckon that I am not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

11:6  But even if I [am] unskilled in speech, yet [I am] not [inferior ]in knowledge, but in every [way] I was made known to you in all things.

6  For although I may be unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge. But, in all things, we have been made manifest to you.

6  But though I am a poor speaker, I am not poor in knowledge; but we have been thoroughly made manifest among you in all things.

11:7  Or did I commit sin in humbling myself in order that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?

7  Probably I have acted foolishly in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you the gospel of God freely.

7  Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

11:8  I robbed other churches, taking wages [from them] to minister to you,

8  I have taken from other churches, receiving a stipend from them to the benefit of your ministry.

8  I deprived other churches, taking supplies from them, in order to minister to you.

11:9  and when I was present with you, and in need, I did not burden anyone; for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. And in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and so I will keep myself.

9  And when I came to you and was in need, I did not burden any of you for my wants were supplied by the brethren who came from Mac-e-doÆni-a : I have taken care of myself in every way and I will so continue to keep myself that I will not be a burden to you.

11:10  As the truth of Christ is in me, that this boasting will not be silenced in me in the regions of Achaia.

10  The truth of Christ is in me, and so this glorying shall not be broken away from me in the regions of Achaia.

11:11  Why? Because I do not love you? God knows!

11  Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.

11  Why so? Is it because I do not love you? God knows I do.

11:12  But what I am doing, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity of those who desire an opportunity, that in what they boast they may be found just as we [are].

12  But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them that desire an occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.

12  But what I do, I will continue to do, so as to give no occasion to those who seek an occasion; and that, in whatever they boast, they may not be found equal to us;

11:13  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.

13  For false apostles, such as these deceitful workers, are presenting themselves as if they were Apostles of Christ.

13  For they are false apostles, and deceitful workers, posing as apostles of Christ.

11:14  And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.

14  There is no marvel in this; for if Satan disguises himself as the angel of light,

11:15  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

15  It is no great thing if his ministers also pose as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

11:16  Again I say, let no one think me a fool. Otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little.

16  I say again, let no man think me foolish; but if [ye do], yet as foolish receive me, that I also may glory a little.

16  I say again. And let no one consider me to be foolish. Or, at least, accept me as if I were foolish, so that I also may glory a small amount.

11:17  What I speak, I speak not according to YHWH, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

17  That which I speak, I speak not after the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of glorying.

17  What I am saying is not said according to God, but as if in foolishness, in this matter of glorying.

11:18  Since many are boasting according to the flesh, I also will boast.

18  Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.

18  Because many boast on the things of the flesh, I boast also.

11:19  For you bear with fools gladly, being wise [yourselves]!

19  For you freely accept the foolish, though you yourselves claim to be wise.

11:20  For you put up with it if someone enslaves you, if someone devours you, if someone takes from you, if someone exalts himself, if someone strikes you in the face.

11:21  To our shame, I say that we were too weak [for that]! But in whatever anyone is bold (I speak foolishly) I am bold also.

21  I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet whereinsoever any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.

21  I speak according to disgrace, as if we had been weak in this regard. In this matter, (I speak in foolishness) if anyone dares, I dare also.

11:22  Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.

22  Now if they are Hebrews, so am I. If they are Israelites, so am I. If they are descendants of Abraham, so am I.

11:23  Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I [am] even more: in labors far more, in beatings immeasurably, in imprisonments far more, in deaths often.

23  They are the ministers of Christ (I speak as if I were less wise); more so am I: with many more labors, with numerous imprisonments, with wounds beyond measure, with frequent mortifications.

23  If they are ministers of Christ, I speak as a fool, I am greater than they; in labor more than they, in wounds more than they, in imprisonments more frequent than they, and in danger of death many times.

11:24  By [the] Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.

24  On five occasions, I received forty stripes, less one, from the Jews.

24  By the Jews I was scourged five times, each time forty stripes less one.

11:25  Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have spent in the depth [of the sea].

25  Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have I been in the deep;

11:26  In journeys often, in dangers of rivers, in dangers of robbers, in dangers from my own race, in dangers from the Gentiles, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the wilderness, in dangers in the sea, in dangers among false brothers;

26  [in] journeyings often, [in] perils of rivers, [in] perils of robbers, [in] perils from [my] countrymen, [in] perils from the Gentiles, [in] perils in the city, [in] perils in the wilderness, [in] perils in the sea, [in] perils among false brethren;

11:27  in labor and hardship, in sleepless nights often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness-

27  with hardships and difficulties, with much vigilance, in hunger and thirst, with frequent fasts, in cold and nakedness,

11:28  apart from what I leave unmentioned, what comes against me daily: the anxiety for all the churches.

28  Besides those things that are without, there is that which presseth upon me daily, anxiety for all the churches.

11:29  Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and I do not burn [with indignation]?

29  Who is sick that I do not feel the pain? Who stumbles that does not have my heartfelt sympathy?

11:30  If I must boast, I will boast about the things concerning my weakness.

30  If it is necessary to glory, I will glory of the things that concern my weaknesses.

30  If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

11:31  The God and Father of YHWH Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.

11:32  In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me;

32  At Damascus, the governor of the nation under Aretas the king, watched over the city of the Damascenes, so as to apprehend me.

11:33  but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.

33  And, through a window, I was let down along the wall in a basket; and so I escaped his hands.

33  And I was lowered in a basket from a window over the city wall, and thus I escaped from his hands.

12:1  It is indeed not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of YHWH

1  I must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

1  BOASTING is proper, but there is no advantage in it, and I prefer to relate the visions and revelations of our LORD.

12:2  I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago-whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows-such a one was caught up to the third heaven.

2  I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

12:3  And I know such a man-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-

3  And I still know this man, but whether in the body or whether without the body, I cannot tell; God knows;

3  And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

12:4  that he was caught up into Paradise and heard unspeakable words, which it is not permitted for a man to utter.

4  how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

4  who was enraptured into Paradise. And he heard words of mystery, which it is not permitted for man to speak.

12:5  Concerning such a one I will boast, but concerning myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.

5  On behalf of someone like this, I will glory. But on behalf of myself, I will not glory about anything, except my infirmities.

5  Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

12:6  For if I should desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak [the] truth. But I spare [you], lest anyone consider me to be beyond what he sees me [to be] or hears something from me.

6  For even though I am willing to glory, I will not be foolish. But I will speak the truth. Yet I will do so sparingly, lest anyone may consider me to be anything more than what he sees in me, or anything more than what he hears from me.

6  But even if I would desire to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I will tell the truth: but now I refrain, lest any one should think more of me than what he sees me to be and what he hears from me.

12:7  And lest I exalt myself above measure by the excellence of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, that it might beat me, lest I exalt myself above measure.

7  And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, 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.

7  And lest the greatness of the revelations should extol me, there was given to me a prodding in my flesh: an angel of Satan, who struck me repeatedly.

12:8  Concerning this I pleaded with YHWH three times that it might depart from me.

8  Because of this, three times I petitioned the Lord that it might be taken away from me.

12:9  And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness."Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

9  And he said to me: “My grace is sufficient for you. For virtue is perfected in weakness.” And so, willingly shall I glory in my weaknesses, so that the virtue of Christ may live within me.

12:10  Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in calamities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

10  Because of this, I am pleased in my infirmity: in reproaches, in difficulties, in persecutions, in distresses, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am powerful.

12:11  I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me! For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing have I been inferior to the super apostles, though I am nothing.

11  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.

11  Behold, I am foolish to boast but you have forced me: for you ought to have testified concerning me: for in no way am I less than those apostles who are highly honored, though I am nothing.

12:12  Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and miracles.

12  And the seal of my Apostleship has been set over you, with all patience, with signs and wonders and miracles.

12  The miracles which the apostles have wrought I have wrought among you also in all patience, in signs, in wonders, and mighty deeds.

12:13  For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!

12:14  Now for the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not burden you. For I do not seek what is yours, but you. For the children ought not to store up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

14  Behold, this is the third time I have prepared to come to you, and yet I will not be a burden to you. For I am seeking not the things that are yours, but you yourselves. And neither should the children store up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

12:15  And I gladly will spend and be expended for your souls; although the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.

15  And so, very willingly, I will spend and exhaust myself for the sake of your souls, loving you more, while being loved less.

15  I will gladly pay my expenses, and I will even give myself for the sake of your souls; though the more I love you, the less you love me.

12:16  But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I took you with guile!

16  But be it so, I did not myself burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

16  And so be it. I have not burdened you, but instead, being astute, I obtained you by guile.

12:17  Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you?

17  Why? Did I extort anything from you by any of the men whom I sent to you?

12:18  I urged Titus, and I sent with him the brother. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did [we] not [walk] in the same Spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?

18  I asked for Titus, and I sent a brother with him. Did Titus defraud you? Did we not walk with the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?

18  I requested Titus to visit you, and I sent brethren with him. Did Titus extort anything from you? Did we not walk in the same spirit, and did we not walk in the same steps?

12:19  Again, do you think that we are defending ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification.

19  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.

12:20  For I am afraid, lest perhaps when I come, I will not find you as I desire, and that I will be found by you as you do not desire; lest perhaps there[ be] contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, disputes, slanders, gossipings, pride, disorders;

20  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;

20  Yet I fear, lest perhaps, when I have arrived, I might not find you such as I would want, and I might be found by you, such as you would not want. For perhaps there may be among you: contention, envy, animosity, dissension, detraction, whispering, self-exaltation, and rebellion.

12:21  lest, when I come again, my God will humble me before you, and I will mourn for many who have previously sinned and have not repented for the impurity and fornication and lewdness which they practiced.

21  If so, then, when I have arrived, God may again humble me among you. And so, I mourn for the many who sinned beforehand, and did not repent, over the lust and fornication and homosexuality, which they have committed.

21  And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.