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2 Corinthians 10-13
American Standard Version

10 Now I Paul myself entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am of good courage toward you: 2 yea, I beseech you, that I may not when present show courage with the confidence wherewith I count to be bold against some, who count of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh 4 (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds); 5 casting down [a]imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; 6 and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience shall be made full. 7 [b]Ye look at the things that are before your face. If any man trusteth in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again with himself, that, even as he is Christ’s, so also are we. 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: 9 that I may not seem as if I would terrify you by my letters. 10 For, His letters, they say, are weighty and strong; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account. 11 Let such a one reckon this, that, what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present. 12 For we are not bold [c]to number or compare ourselves with certain of them that commend themselves: but they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding. 13 But we will not glory beyond our measure, but according to the measure of the [d]province which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even unto you. 14 For we stretch not ourselves overmuch, as though we reached not unto you: for we [e]came even as far as unto you in the [f]gospel of Christ: 15 not glorying beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors; but having hope that, as your faith groweth, we shall be magnified in you according to our [g]province unto further abundance, 16 so as to [h]preach the gospel even unto the parts beyond you, and not to glory in another’s [i]province in regard of things ready to our hand. 17 [j]But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

11 Would that ye could bear with me in a little foolishness: [k]but indeed ye do bear with me. 2 For I am jealous over you with [l]a godly jealousy: for I espoused you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your [m]minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if ye receive a different spirit, which ye did not receive, or a different [n]gospel, which ye did not accept, ye do well to bear with him. 5 For I reckon that I am not a whit behind [o]the very chiefest apostles. 6 But though I be rude in speech, yet am I not in knowledge; [p]nay, in every way have we made this manifest unto you in all things. 7 Or did I commit a sin in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I [q]preached to you the gospel of God for nought? 8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them that I might minister unto you; 9 and when I was present with you and was in want, I was not a burden on any man; for the brethren, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my want; and in everything I kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this glorying in the regions of Achaia. 11 Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth. 12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off [r]occasion from them that desire an occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light. 15 It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

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. 17 That which I speak, I speak not after the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of glorying. 18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also. 19 For ye bear with the foolish gladly, being wise yourselves. 20 For ye bear with a man, if he bringeth you into bondage, if he devoureth you, if he taketh you captive, if he exalteth himself, if he smiteth you on the face. 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. 22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I more; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 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; 26 in journeyings often, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers, in perils from my [s]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; 27 in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 [t]Besides those things that are without, there is that which presseth upon me daily, anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is caused to stumble, and I burn not? 30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern my weakness. 31 [u]The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed [v]for evermore knoweth that I lie not. 32 In Damascus the [w]governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes in order to take me: 33 and through a window was I let down in a basket by the wall, and escaped his hands.

12 [x]I must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 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. 3 And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth), 4 how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 On behalf of such a one will I glory: but on mine own behalf I will not glory, save in my weaknesses. 6 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. 7 And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the [y]revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a [z]thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch. 8 Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 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 [aa]rest upon me. 10 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.

11 I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind [ab]the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing. 12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all [ac]patience, by signs and wonders and [ad]mighty works. 13 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.

14 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. 15 And I will most gladly spend and be [ae]spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less? 16 But be it so, I did not myself burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with guile. 17 Did I take advantage of you by any one of them whom I have sent unto you? 18 I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? walked we not [af]in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

19 [ag]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. 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, [ah]tumults; 21 lest again when I come 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.

13 This is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses or three shall every word be established. 2 I have said [ai]beforehand, and I do say [aj]beforehand, [ak]as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, to them that have sinned heretofore, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare; 3 seeing that ye seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me; who to you-ward is not weak, but is powerful in you: 4 for he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God. For we also are weak [al]in him, but we shall live with him through the power of God toward you. 5 Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate. 6 But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate. 7 Now we pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that ye may do that which is honorable, [am]though we be as reprobate. 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 9 For we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong: this we also pray for, even your perfecting. 10 For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for casting down.

11 Finally, brethren, [an]farewell. Be perfected; be comforted; be of the same mind; live in peace: and the God of love and peace shall be with you. 12 Salute one another with a holy kiss.

13 All the saints salute you.

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 10:5 Or, reasonings. Rom. 2:15
  2. 2 Corinthians 10:7 Or, Do ye look . . . face?
  3. 2 Corinthians 10:12 Greek to judge ourselves among, or to judge ourselves with.
  4. 2 Corinthians 10:13 Or, limit. Greek measuring-rod.
  5. 2 Corinthians 10:14 Or, were the first to come;
  6. 2 Corinthians 10:14 Greek good tidings. See marginal note on 2:12.
  7. 2 Corinthians 10:15 Or, limit. Greek measuring-rod.
  8. 2 Corinthians 10:16 Greek bring good tidings. Compare Mt. 11:5.
  9. 2 Corinthians 10:16 Or, limit. Greek measuring-rod.
  10. 2 Corinthians 10:17 Jer. 9:24.
  11. 2 Corinthians 11:1 Or, nay indeed bear with me.
  12. 2 Corinthians 11:2 Greek a jealousy of God.
  13. 2 Corinthians 11:3 Greek thoughts. See 3:14.
  14. 2 Corinthians 11:4 Greek good tidings. Compare 2:12.
  15. 2 Corinthians 11:5 Or, those preeminent apostles
  16. 2 Corinthians 11:6 Or, nay, in everything we have made it manifest among all men to you-ward
  17. 2 Corinthians 11:7 Greek brought good tidings. See 10:16.
  18. 2 Corinthians 11:12 Greek the occasion of them.
  19. 2 Corinthians 11:26 Greek race. Compare Acts 7:19.
  20. 2 Corinthians 11:28 Or, Besides the things which I omit. Or, Besides the things that come out of course
  21. 2 Corinthians 11:31 Or, God and the Father. See Rom. 15:6.
  22. 2 Corinthians 11:31 Greek unto the ages.
  23. 2 Corinthians 11:32 Greek ethnarch.
  24. 2 Corinthians 12:1 Some ancient authorities read Now to glory is not expedient, but I will come etc.
  25. 2 Corinthians 12:7 Some ancient authorities read revelations—wherefore, that etc.
  26. 2 Corinthians 12:7 Or, stake
  27. 2 Corinthians 12:9 Or, cover me. Greek spread a tabernacle over me. See Rev. 7:15.
  28. 2 Corinthians 12:11 Or, those preeminent apostles
  29. 2 Corinthians 12:12 Or, stedfastness
  30. 2 Corinthians 12:12 Greek powers.
  31. 2 Corinthians 12:15 Greek spent out.
  32. 2 Corinthians 12:18 Or, by the same Spirit
  33. 2 Corinthians 12:19 Or, Think ye . . . you?
  34. 2 Corinthians 12:20 Or, disorders
  35. 2 Corinthians 13:2 Or, plainly. Compare 1 Th. 3:4.
  36. 2 Corinthians 13:2 Or, plainly. Compare 1 Th. 3:4.
  37. 2 Corinthians 13:2 Or, as if I were present the second time, even though I am now absent
  38. 2 Corinthians 13:4 Many ancient authorities read with.
  39. 2 Corinthians 13:7 Greek and that.
  40. 2 Corinthians 13:11 Or, rejoice: be perfected
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2 Corinthians 10-13
New International Version

Paul’s Defense of His Ministry

10 By the humility and gentleness(A) of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul,(B) who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! 2 I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold(C) as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world.(D) 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.(E) 4 The weapons we fight with(F) are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power(G) to demolish strongholds.(H) 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,(I) and we take captive every thought to make it obedient(J) to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.(K)

7 You are judging by appearances.[a](L) If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ,(M) they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do.(N) 8 So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us(O) for building you up rather than tearing you down,(P) I will not be ashamed of it. 9 I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. 10 For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive(Q) and his speaking amounts to nothing.”(R) 11 Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present.

12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves.(S) When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 13 We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us,(T) a sphere that also includes you. 14 We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you(U) with the gospel of Christ.(V) 15 Neither do we go beyond our limits(W) by boasting of work done by others.(X) Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow,(Y) our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, 16 so that we can preach the gospel(Z) in the regions beyond you.(AA) For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory. 17 But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”[b](AB) 18 For it is not the one who commends himself(AC) who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.(AD)

Paul and the False Apostles

11 I hope you will put up with(AE) me in a little foolishness.(AF) Yes, please put up with me! 2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband,(AG) to Christ, so that I might present you(AH) as a pure virgin to him. 3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning,(AI) your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached,(AJ) or if you receive a different spirit(AK) from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel(AL) from the one you accepted, you put up with it(AM) easily enough.

5 I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.”[c](AN) 6 I may indeed be untrained as a speaker,(AO) but I do have knowledge.(AP) We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way. 7 Was it a sin(AQ) for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God(AR) to you free of charge?(AS) 8 I robbed other churches by receiving support from them(AT) so as to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed.(AU) I have kept myself from being a burden to you(AV) in any way, and will continue to do so. 10 As surely as the truth of Christ is in me,(AW) nobody in the regions of Achaia(AX) will stop this boasting(AY) of mine. 11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows(AZ) I do!(BA)

12 And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. 13 For such people are false apostles,(BB) deceitful(BC) workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.(BD) 14 And no wonder, for Satan(BE) himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.(BF)

Paul Boasts About His Sufferings

16 I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool.(BG) But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. 17 In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would,(BH) but as a fool.(BI) 18 Since many are boasting in the way the world does,(BJ) I too will boast.(BK) 19 You gladly put up with(BL) fools since you are so wise!(BM) 20 In fact, you even put up with(BN) anyone who enslaves you(BO) or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face. 21 To my shame I admit that we were too weak(BP) for that!

Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about.(BQ) 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I.(BR) Are they Israelites? So am I.(BS) Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I.(BT) 23 Are they servants of Christ?(BU) (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder,(BV) been in prison more frequently,(BW) been flogged more severely,(BX) and been exposed to death again and again.(BY) 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes(BZ) minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods,(CA) once I was pelted with stones,(CB) three times I was shipwrecked,(CC) I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews,(CD) in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city,(CE) in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.(CF) 27 I have labored and toiled(CG) and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food;(CH) I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.(CI) 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak?(CJ) Who is led into sin,(CK) and I do not inwardly burn?

30 If I must boast, I will boast(CL) of the things that show my weakness.(CM) 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever,(CN) knows(CO) that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me.(CP) 33 But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.(CQ)

Paul’s Vision and His Thorn

12 I must go on boasting.(CR) Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations(CS) from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ(CT) who fourteen years ago was caught up(CU) to the third heaven.(CV) Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.(CW) 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up(CX) to paradise(CY) and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.(CZ) 6 Even if I should choose to boast,(DA) I would not be a fool,(DB) because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations.(DC) Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh,(DD) a messenger of Satan,(DE) to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.(DF) 9 But he said to me, “My grace(DG) is sufficient for you, for my power(DH) is made perfect in weakness.(DI)”(DJ) Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight(DK) in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,(DL) in persecutions,(DM) in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.(DN)

Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians

11 I have made a fool of myself,(DO) but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,”[d](DP) even though I am nothing.(DQ) 12 I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.(DR) 13 How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you?(DS) Forgive me this wrong!(DT)

14 Now I am ready to visit you for the third time,(DU) and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents,(DV) but parents for their children.(DW) 15 So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well.(DX) If I love you more,(DY) will you love me less? 16 Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you.(DZ) Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery! 17 Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent to you? 18 I urged(EA) Titus(EB) to go to you and I sent our brother(EC) with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not walk in the same footsteps by the same Spirit?

19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God(ED) as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends,(EE) is for your strengthening.(EF) 20 For I am afraid that when I come(EG) I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be.(EH) I fear that there may be discord,(EI) jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition,(EJ) slander,(EK) gossip,(EL) arrogance(EM) and disorder.(EN) 21 I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved(EO) over many who have sinned earlier(EP) and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery(EQ) in which they have indulged.

Final Warnings

13 This will be my third visit to you.(ER) “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”[e](ES) 2 I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent:(ET) On my return I will not spare(EU) those who sinned earlier(EV) or any of the others, 3 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me.(EW) He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness,(EX) yet he lives by God’s power.(EY) Likewise, we are weak(EZ) in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him(FA) in our dealing with you.

5 Examine yourselves(FB) to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.(FC) Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you(FD)—unless, of course, you fail the test? 6 And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. 7 Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 We are glad whenever we are weak(FE) but you are strong;(FF) and our prayer is that you may be fully restored.(FG) 10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh(FH) in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.(FI)

Final Greetings

11 Finally, brothers and sisters,(FJ) rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace.(FK) And the God of love(FL) and peace(FM) will be with you.

12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.(FN) 13 All God’s people here send their greetings.(FO)

14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,(FP) and the love of God,(FQ) and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit(FR) be with you all.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 10:7 Or Look at the obvious facts
  2. 2 Corinthians 10:17 Jer. 9:24
  3. 2 Corinthians 11:5 Or to the most eminent apostles
  4. 2 Corinthians 12:11 Or the most eminent apostles
  5. 2 Corinthians 13:1 Deut. 19:15
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