2 Corinthians 12

Paul’s Vision and Thorn

1 Look, I do not even want to brag, but I am going to do it anyway. There is some stuff God showed me that I need to share.

2 I know a dude, yeah, a follower of Christ, who got taken up to the third heaven 14 years ago. Whether it was just a vision or his actual body, I do not know, but God knows.

3 I do not even know how it all happened, but this man was taken up into paradise.

4 He heard things up there that are too deep, too sacred to even speak about down here.

5 Now, I could brag about a man like that, but when it comes to myself, I am only is going to brag about my weaknesses.

6 I could go on and on, and it would still be true, but I do not want anyone thinking I am more than what they actually see or hear from me.

7 So, to keep me humble, God gave me something, a “thorn in my flesh,” like a constant reminder to keep my pride in check. It is a struggle I cannot shake off, and it keeps me grounded.

8 I begged God three times to take this thing away from me.

9 But He told me, “My grace is enough for you. My power shows up best when you are weak.” So I will gladly brag about my weaknesses, so Christ’s power can rest on me.

10 That is why I am cool with all the struggles, weakness, insults, hard times, and challenges I face for Christ. Because when I am weak, that is when I am truly strong.

11 I am talking like a fool here, but you all pushed me to it. You all should have been backing me up. I may not be on the level of these “super apostles,” but I am just as legit.

12 I have proven myself with signs, miracles, and things that only God can do, which is what real apostles do.

13 Tell me, in what way did I treat you all differently from other churches, The only thing is I did not ask you all for any money. Forgive me for “wronging” you all like that.

14 Look, I am coming to see you all for the third time, and I still do not want anything from you. I am here for you all, not for what you all got. Parents save up for their kids, not the other way around.

15 I am willing to spend everything I got, even myself, for you all. If I love you more, why does it feel like you all love me less,

16 Okay, so maybe you are saying I was not a burden, but I was being slick, Like I fooled you all or something,

17 Did I take advantage of you through any of my people,

18 I sent Titus and another brother, right, Did they take anything from you, We walked the same path, the same spirit, did we not,

19 You all think we have been defending ourselves all this time. Nah, everything we do is for building you up before God.

20 I am worried that when I show up, I might find you all acting messy, fighting, jealousy, gossip, pride, and drama. And you all might not like what you see in me either.

21 If I come and find that kind of mess, God might humble me again. I might end up in tears over people still living wild, doing wrong, and not even feeling bad about it.