A Vision Of Paradise

1 I must boast! It is unprofitable; but I will pass to visions and revelations given by the Lord.

1 (A)Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and (B)revelations (a)of the Lord.

1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

1 Boasting is necessary. It is not profitable, but I will move on to visions(A) and revelations(B) of the Lord.

1 I must boast, although it does not do any good. Let's talk about visions and revelations from the Lord.

2 I know a man in union with Christ, who, fourteen years ago-- whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows-- was caught up (this man of whom I am speaking) to the third Heaven.

2 I know a man (C)in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, (D)God knows—such a man was (E)caught up to the (F)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.

2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up(C) into the third heaven 14 years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know, God knows.

2 I know a man who belongs to the Messiah. Fourteen years ago whether in his body or outside of his body, I do not know, but God knows that man was snatched away to the third heaven.

3 And I know that this man--whether in the body or separated from the body I do not know; God knows--

3 And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, (G)God knows—

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

3 I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know, God knows—

3 I know that this man whether in his body or outside of his body, I do not know, but God knows

4 Was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable things of which no human being may tell.

4 was (H)caught up into (I)Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.

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

4 was caught up into paradise.(D) He heard inexpressible words, which a man is not allowed to speak.

4 was snatched away to Paradise and heard things that cannot be expressed in words, things that no human being has a right even to mention.

5 About such a man I will boast, but about myself I will not boast except as regards my weaknesses.

5 (J)On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my (K)weaknesses.

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

5 I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses.

5 I will boast about this man, but as for myself I will boast only about my weaknesses.

6 Yet if I choose to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I shall be speaking no more than the truth. But I refrain, lest any one should credit me with more than he can see in me or hear from me, and because of the marvelous character of the revelations.

6 For if I do wish to boast I will not be (L)foolish, (M)for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.

6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

6 For if I want to boast, I will not be a fool, because I will be telling the truth.(E) But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me,

6 However, if I did want to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I am not going to do it in order to keep anyone from thinking more of me than what he sees and hears about me.

7 It was for this reason, and to prevent my thinking too highly of myself, that a thorn was sent to pierce my flesh--an instrument of Satan to discipline me--so that I should not think too highly of myself.

7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the (N)revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a (O)thorn in the flesh, a (P)messenger of Satan to (b)torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

7 especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh(F) was given to me, a messenger(a) of Satan(G) to torment me so I would not exalt myself.

7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of the exceptional nature of these revelations, a thorn was given to me and placed in my body. It was Satan's messenger to keep on tormenting me so that I would not become conceited.

8 About this I three times entreated the Lord, praying that it might leave me.

8 Concerning this I implored the Lord (Q)three times that it might leave me.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me.

8 I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me,

9 But his reply has been-- 'My help is enough for you; for my strength attains its perfection in the midst of weakness.' Most gladly, then, will I boast all the more of my weaknesses, so that the strength of the Christ may overshadow me.

9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for (R)power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather (S)boast (c)about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power(b)(H) is perfected in weakness.”(I) Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.

9 but he has told me, "My grace is all you need, because my power is perfected in weakness." Therefore, I will most happily boast about my weaknesses, so that the Messiah's power may rest on me.

10 That is why I delight in weakness, ill-treatment, hardship, persecution, and difficulties, when borne for Christ. For, when I am weak, then it is that I am strong!

10 Therefore (T)I am well content with weaknesses, with (d)insults, with (U)distresses, with (V)persecutions, with (W)difficulties, (X)for Christ’s sake; for (Y)when I am weak, then I am strong.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ.(J) For when I am weak, then I am strong.(K)

10 That is why I take such pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for the Messiah's sake, for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul's Concern For The Christians At Corinth

11 I have been "playing the fool!" It is you who drove me to it. For it is you who ought to have been commending me! Although I am nobody, in no respect did I prove inferior to the most eminent Apostles.

11 I have become (Z)foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for (AA)in no respect was I inferior to the (e)most eminent apostles, even though (AB)I am a nobody.

11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

11 I have become a fool; you forced it on me. I should have been endorsed by you, since I am not in any way inferior to the “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.(L)

11 I have become a fool. You forced me to be one. Really, I should have been commended by you, for I am not in any way inferior to your "super-apostles," even if I am nothing.

12 The marks of the true Apostle were exhibited among you in constant endurance, as well as by signs, by marvels, and by miracles.

12 The (f)(AC)signs (g)of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by (h)signs and wonders and (i)miracles.

12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

12 The signs(M) of an apostle(N) were performed with great endurance among you—not only signs but also wonders(O) and miracles.(P)

12 The signs of an apostle were performed among you with utmost patience signs, wonders, and powerful actions.

13 In what respect, I ask, were you treated worse than the other Churches, unless it was that, for my part, I refused to become a burden to you? Forgive me the wrong I thus did you!

13 For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that (AD)I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me (AE)this wrong!

13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

13 So in what way were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I personally did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!

13 How were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I did not bother you for help? Forgive me for this wrong!

Paul's Concern For The Corinthians

14 Remember, this is the third time that I have made every preparation to come to see you, and I shall refuse to be a burden to you; I want, not your money, but you. It is not the duty of children to put by for their parents, but of parents to put by for their children.

14 Here (AF)for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I (AG)will not be a burden to you; for I (AH)do not seek what is yours, but (AI)you; for (AJ)children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but (AK)parents for their children.

14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome 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.

14 Now I am ready to come to you this third time.(Q) I will not burden you, for I am not seeking what is yours, but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

14 Now I'm ready to visit you for a third time, and I will not bother you for help. I do not want your things, but rather you yourselves. Children should not have to support their parents, but parents their children.

15 For my part, I will most gladly spend, and be spent, for your welfare. Can it be that the more intensely I love you the less I am to be loved?

15 I will (AL)most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If (AM)I love you more, am I to be loved less?

15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for you.(c)(R) If I love you more, am I to be loved less?

15 I will be very glad to spend my money and myself for you. Do you love me less because I love you so much?

16 You will admit that I was not a burden to you but you say that I was "crafty" and caught you "by a trick"!

16 But be that as it may, I (AN)did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I (AO)took you in by deceit.

16 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

16 Now granted, I have not burdened(S) you; yet sly as I am, I took you in by deceit!(T)

16 Granting that I have not been a burden to you, was I a clever schemer who trapped you by some trick?

17 Do you assert that I took advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you?

17 (AP)Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I?

17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?

17 Did I take advantage of you by anyone I sent you?

17 I did not take advantage of you through any of the men I sent you, did I?

18 I urged Titus to go, and I sent our Brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Did not we live in the same Spirit, and tread in the same footsteps?

18 I (AQ)urged (AR)Titus to go, and I sent (AS)the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not (j)conduct ourselves (k)in the same (AT)spirit and walk (AU)in the same steps?

18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

18 I urged Titus(U) to come, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Didn’t we walk in the same spirit(V) and in the same footsteps?

18 I encouraged Titus to visit you, and I sent along with him the brother you know so well. Titus didn't take advantage of you, did he? We conducted ourselves with the same spirit, didn't we? We took the very same steps, didn't we?

19 Have you all this time been fancying that it is to you that we are making our defense? No, it is in the sight of God, and in union with Christ, that we are speaking. And all this, dear friends, is to build up your characters;

19 All this time (l)you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, (AV)it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and (AW)all for your upbuilding, (AX)beloved.

19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

19 You have thought all along that we were defending ourselves to you.(d) No, in the sight of God we are speaking in Christ, and everything, dear friends, is for building you up.(W)

19 Have you been thinking all along that we are trying to defend ourselves before you? We are speaking before God in the authority of the Messiah, and everything, dear friends, is meant to build you up.

Paul's Concern About The Corinthians' Way Of Life

20 For I am afraid that perhaps, when I come, I may find that you are not what I want you to be, and, on the other hand, that you may find that I am what you do not want me to be. I am afraid that I may find quarreling, jealousy, ill-feeling, rivalry, slandering, back-biting, self-assertion, and disorder.

20 For I am afraid that perhaps (AY)when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be (AZ)strife, jealousy, (BA)angry tempers, (BB)disputes, (BC)slanders, (BD)gossip, (BE)arrogance, (BF)disturbances;

20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I will not find you to be what I want, and I may not be found by you to be what you want;(e) there may be quarreling,(X) jealousy,(Y) outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions,(Z) slander,(AA) gossip, arrogance, and disorder.(AB)

20 I am afraid that I may come and somehow find you not as I want to find you, and that you may find me not as you want to find me. Perhaps there will be quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly conduct.

21 I am afraid lest, on my next visit, my God may humble me in regard to you, and that I may have to mourn over many who have long been sinning, and have not repented of the impurity, immorality, and sensuality, in which they have indulged.

21 I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have (BG)sinned in the past and not repented of the (BH)impurity, (m)immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.

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.

21 I fear that when I come my God will again(f) humiliate me in your presence, and I will grieve for many who sinned before and have not repented(AC) of the moral impurity, sexual immorality,(AD) and promiscuity(AE) they practiced.

21 I am afraid that when I come my God may again humble me before you and that I may have to grieve over many who formerly lived in sin and have not repented of their impurity, sexual immorality, and promiscuity that they once practiced.

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