eng_aiv Amundson Interpretive Version 2 Corinthians 2 Corinthians 2 Corinthians 2 Cor 2 Corinthians id=eng_aiv name=Amundson Interpretive Version (AIV) status=draft spec=USFM-USX 3.1.1 export=2026-11-02 char:add=translator-addition-italic char:wj=words-of-Jesus-as-received-unmapped note:f=footnotes para:r=parallel-passage-references para:d=psalm-superscriptions Paul Greets the Corinthians (Acts 18:1–11; 1 Corinthians 1:1–3) Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus1.1 BYZ and TR of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy the brother, To the church of God being in Corinth, with all the saints being in all Achaia: Grace to you⁺ and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The God of All Comfort Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassions and God of all comfort, the One comforting us in all our tribulation, for us to be able to comfort those in every tribulation through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God, because just as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, so through Christ our comfort also abounds. But if we are hard pressed, it is for your⁺ comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your⁺ comfort, operating in the endurance of the same sufferings that we also suffer. And our hope for you⁺ is sure, knowing that as you⁺ are fellow partakers of the sufferings, so also of the comfort. For we do not want you⁺ to be ignorant brothers, as to our tribulation having happened in Asia,1.8 Or in the province of Asia; Asia was a Roman province in what is now western Turkey. that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, so as for us to despair even to live. But we have had in ourselves the sentence of death, so that we should not be trusting in ourselves, but in God, the One raising the dead, who delivered us from so great a death and will deliver us,1.10 BYZ and TR and He continues to deliver (us) in whom we have hoped that also He will deliver us still, in your⁺ also together helping us by supplication, so that thanks may be given for us1.11 BYZ given on your behalf by many faces for the gracious gift to us through many. Paul’s Change of Plans For our boasting is this: The testimony of our conscience, that in the simplicity1.12 SBL, TH, and WH holiness and sincerity of God, and not in fleshly1.12 That is, worldly wisdom but in the grace of God, we conducted ourselves in the world and more abundantly toward you⁺. For we write no other things to you⁺ but what you⁺ read or also understand. And I hope that you⁺ will understand to the end, as also you⁺ understood us in part, so that we are your⁺ boast, even as you⁺ are also ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.1.14 BYZ and TR the Lord Jesus And with this confidence I was purposing to come to you⁺ before, so that you⁺ might have a second grace, and through you⁺ to pass through into Macedonia, and to come to you⁺ again from Macedonia, and to be sent forth by you⁺ to Judea. Therefore, purposing this, then, did I use lightness? Or do I purpose what I purpose according to flesh, so that with me it may be “Yes, yes” and “No, no”? But faithful is God, that our word to you⁺ is not1.18 BYZ and TR was not “Yes” and “No.” For the Son of God, Jesus Christ,1.19 WH Christ Jesus having been proclaimed among you⁺ by us—by me and Silvanus1.19 That is, Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but it has been “Yes” in Him. For as many as are the promises of God, in Him is the “Yes.” Therefore also through Him1.20 BYZ and TR in Him the “Amen” through us is for glory to God. Now the One establishing us with you⁺ into Christ, and having anointed us, is God, the One also having sealed us and having given the pledge of the Spirit in our hearts. But I call God as witness upon my soul, that sparing you⁺ I did not yet come to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your⁺ faith, but we are fellow workers with you⁺ of joy; for in the faith you⁺ stand firm. Reaffirm Your Love For I decided this within myself, not to come to you⁺ again in grief. For if I grieve you⁺, then who is gladdening me except the one being grieved by me? And I wrote2.3 BYZ and TR include to you. this same thing so that, having come, I might not have grief from those for whom it was necessary for me to rejoice, having been confident in you⁺ all, that my joy is of all of you⁺. For out of much tribulation and anguish of heart, I wrote to you⁺ through many tears, not that you⁺ might be grieved, but that you⁺ might know the love that I have more abundantly toward you⁺. But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but in part (so that I might not be severe) all of you⁺. Sufficient to such a one is the punishment that is by the majority, so that on the contrary, it is rather for you⁺ to forgive and to comfort him, lest somehow such a one might be overwhelmed by more abundant grief. Therefore I exhort you⁺ to confirm love toward him. For this indeed also I wrote, so that I might know the proof of you⁺, whether you⁺ are obedient to everything. Now to whomever you⁺ forgive anything, I also do; and indeed to whom I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, it is on account of you⁺ in the face of Christ, so that we should not be exploited by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes. Triumph in Christ Now having come to Troas for the gospel of Christ, a door also having been opened to me in the Lord, I have had no rest in my spirit in my not finding Titus my brother, but having taken leave of them, I went out to Macedonia. But thanks be to God, the One always leading us in triumph in Christ and making manifest the fragrance of the knowledge of Him through us in every place. For we are a sweet smell of Christ to God among those being saved and among those perishing: to one indeed a smell from death to death, but to one a smell from life to life.2.16 Or To the one, we are an odor of death and demise; to the other, a fragrance that brings life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not like the many,2.17 BYZ like others peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity—but as from God—we speak before God in Christ. Ministers of a New Covenant Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or like some, do we need letters of recommendation to you⁺ or from you⁺? You⁺ are our letter, having been inscribed in our hearts, being known and being read by all men, being revealed that you⁺ are a letter of Christ, having been ministered to by us, having been inscribed not in ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not in tablets of stone but in tablets of fleshly hearts. Now we have such confidence through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient from ourselves to reckon anything as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. The Glory of the New Covenant (Exodus 34:10–35) Now if the ministry of death, having been engraved in letters on stones, came into being in glory so as for the sons of Israel not to be able to look intently into the face of Moses on account of the glory of his face that is fading away, how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more in glory? For if in the ministry of condemnation was glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory! For even that having been glorious has no glory in this respect, on account of the glory surpassing it. For if that which is fading away was through glory, much more is that remaining in glory! Therefore having such a hope, we use much boldness, and not as Moses would put a veil over his face for the sons of Israel not to look intently into the end of what was fading away. But their minds were hardened; for until the present day, the same veil remains upon the reading of the old covenant, not being unveiled, which is removed in Christ. But until today when Moses is read, a veil lies upon their heart. But whenever one may turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, freedom is. And we all, having been unveiled in face, reflecting the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit. BYZ and Stephanus TR do not include Or BYZ and TR letters of commendation to you or of commendation from you The Light of the Gospel On account of this, having this ministry, just as we received mercy, we do not grow fainthearted. But we renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor distorting the word of God, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every conscience of men before God. But if indeed our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those perishing, in whom the god of this age blinded the minds of the unbelieving, so as not to shine forth the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.4.4 RP so that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, might not dawn upon them For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus4.5 NA Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your⁺ servants on account of Jesus. For God is the One having said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who shone in our hearts for the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.4.6 Genesis 1:3 4.6 SBL, NE, and WH in the face of Christ Treasure in Jars of Clay (Romans 6:1–14) Now we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the supereminence of the power may be from God and not from us, being pressed in every way but not being crushed, being perplexed but not despairing, being persecuted but not being forsaken, being struck down but not being destroyed, always carrying around the death of Jesus4.10 BYZ and TR the death of the Lord Jesus in the body, so that the life of Jesus also may be revealed in our body. For we the living are always being delivered to death on account of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. So then, death works in us, but life in you⁺. But having the same spirit of faith according to that having been written: “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, and therefore we speak, 4.13 Psalm 116:10 (see also LXX) knowing that the One having raised the Lord Jesus4.14 SBL who raised Jesus also will raise us with4.14 BYZ and TR through Jesus and will present us with you⁺. For all things are on account of you⁺, so that the grace having increased on account of more people may make abundant the thanksgiving, to the glory of God. Therefore we do not grow fainthearted; but if also our outer man decays, yet our inner one4.16 BYZ and TR the inner is renewed day and day. For the momentary lightness of our affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory, from supereminence to supereminence, in our not looking at the things being seen, but the things not being seen. For the things being seen are temporary, but the things not being seen are eternal. Our Eternal Dwelling (Romans 8:18–27) For we know that if our earthly house, the tent, should be torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For also in this we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling that is from heaven, if indeed also having been clothed, we will not be found naked. For indeed, being in the tent we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that the mortal should be swallowed up by life. Now the One having prepared us for this very thing is God, the One having given to us the pledge of the Spirit, being confident, then, always, and knowing that being at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. Now we are confident and we are well pleased rather to be away, out of the body, and to be at home with the Lord. Therefore also we strive earnestly, whether being at home or being away, to be well-pleasing to Him. For it is necessary for us all to appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive back the things done through the body according to what he did, whether good or evil. Ambassadors for Christ Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men. And we have been made manifest to God, and I hope to have been made manifest in your⁺ consciences also. We do not commend5.12 BYZ and TR For we do not commend ourselves to you⁺ again, but are giving to you⁺ occasion of boasting on behalf of us, so that you⁺ may have something toward those boasting in appearance and not in heart. For if we were beside ourselves, it is to God; and if we are sound-minded, it is for you⁺. For the love of Christ compels us, having judged this, that5.14 BYZ and TR include if. One died for all, therefore all died. And He died for all, that those living no longer should live to themselves, but to the One having died for them5.15 F35 for all and having been raised again. Therefore, from now, we know no one according to the flesh. Even if we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.5.17 Or a new creature The old things passed away; behold, the new things have come into being!5.17 BYZ and TR Behold, all things have become new Now all things are of God, the One having reconciled us to Himself through Christ,5.18 BYZ and TR through Jesus Christ and having given to us the ministry of reconciliation: how that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having put into us the word of reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God is appealing through us. We implore on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God. He made5.21 BYZ and TR For He made the One not having known sin to be sin5.21 Or a sin offering for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Paul’s Hardships and God’s Grace And working together,6.1 Or As God's fellow workers we also exhort you⁺ not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: “In the acceptable time I listened to you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 6.2 Isaiah 49:8 (see also LXX) We are giving no cause of stumbling among anyone, so that the ministry should not be blamed, but in everything we are commending ourselves as God’s servants: in much endurance, in tribulations, in hardships, in distresses; in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleepless nights, in fastings; in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness; in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love; in the word of truth, in the power of God; through the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through glory and dishonor, through bad report and good report; as imposters yet true; as being unknown yet being well-known; as dying, yet behold, we live; as being disciplined yet not being put to death; as being sorrowful yet always rejoicing; as poor yet enriching many; as having nothing and yet possessing everything. Our mouth has been open to you⁺, Corinthians; our heart has been enlarged. You⁺ are not restrained by us, but you⁺ are restrained in your⁺ own inner parts. Now as the same recompense—I speak as to children—you⁺ be enlarged also. Do Not Be Unequally Yoked Do not become unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? And what harmony has Christ with Beliar?6.15 Scrivener’s TR and GOC Belial Or what part to a believer is with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them, and I will walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”6.16 BYZ and TR you 6.16 Leviticus 26:12; Jeremiah 32:38; Ezekiel 37:27 “Therefore come out from their midst and be separate, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you⁺.” 6.17 Isaiah 52:11; see also Ezekiel 20:34, including LXX. And: “I will be for a Father to you⁺, and you⁺ will be for sons and daughters to Me, says the Lord Almighty.”6.18 See 2 Samuel 7:14. Paul’s Joy in the Corinthians Therefore having these promises, beloved, we should cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Make room for us. We wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we took advantage of no one. I do not speak for condemnation; for I have before said that you⁺ are in our hearts for us to die together and to live together. Much is my boldness toward you⁺; much is my boasting on behalf of you⁺; I have been filled with encouragement; I overabound with joy upon all our tribulation. For also of our having come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest; but we are being pressed in every way: conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, the One comforting the downcast, comforted us in the coming of Titus, and not only in his coming, but also in the comfort with which he was comforted over you⁺, declaring to us your⁺ longing, your⁺ mourning, your⁺ zeal for me, so as for me to rejoice the more. For if also I grieved you⁺ in the letter, I do not regret it—even if I did regret it; for I see that the letter grieved you⁺, that even if for an hour. Now I rejoice, not that you⁺ were grieved, but that you⁺ were grieved unto repentance. For you⁺ were grieved according to God, so that you⁺ might suffer loss in nothing through us. For grief according to God works repentance unto salvation without regret; but the grief of the world produces death. For behold how much earnestness this same thing—to have been grieved according to God—produced in you⁺: but defense, but indignation, but fear, but longing, but zeal, but avenging! In everything, you⁺ commended yourselves to be innocent in the matter. So even if I wrote to you⁺, it was not for the sake of the one having done wrong, nor for the sake of the one having suffered wrong, but for the sake of your⁺ earnestness for us being made manifest to you⁺ before God. On account of this, we have been comforted. And upon our comfort, we rejoiced more abundantly rather at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you⁺. For if I have boasted anything to him about you⁺, I was not put to shame; but as we spoke all things to you⁺ in truth, so also our boasting to Titus became truth. And his affections are more abundantly for you⁺, remembering the obedience of all of you⁺, how you⁺ received him with fear and trembling. I rejoice that in everything I am confident in you⁺. BYZ and TR include you to have been grieved. Scrivener TR our earnestness for you BYZ and TR upon your comfort Scrivener TR I rejoice, therefore, Generosity Commended (Philippians 4:10–20) Now we make known to you⁺,8.1 GOC I want you to know about brothers, the grace of God having been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in much proof of tribulation, the abundance of their joy and of their deep poverty abounded into the riches of their generosity. For I testify that according to their power and beyond their power, of their own accord, with much entreaty they were imploring us for the grace and the fellowship of the service to the saints. And not even as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us by the will of God. Accordingly, we exhorted Titus that just as he began before, so also he might complete to you⁺ also this grace, but just as you⁺ abound in everything—in faith and word and knowledge and all earnestness and in the love from us in you⁺8.7 Or in your love for us—that also you⁺ may abound in this grace. I do not speak as a command, but proving the genuineness of your⁺ love through the earnestness of others also. For you⁺ know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that being rich, on account of you⁺8.9 F35 on account of us He became poor, so that you⁺ by that poverty might be enriched. And I give a judgment in this matter, for this is profitable for you⁺, who not only began before to do, but also to will, from a year ago. And now also complete the doing, so that just as there was the readiness to will, so also there may be to complete out of that which you have. For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable as if he may have, not as he does not have. For it is not that to others is relief and for you⁺ tribulation, but of equality. At the present time, your⁺ abundance is for their need, so that their abundance also may be for your⁺ need, so that there may be equality. As it has been written: “The one who gathered much did not abound, and the one who gathered little did not lack.” 8.15 Exodus 16:18 Titus Commended (Titus 1:1–4) But thanks to God, the One putting the same earnestness for you⁺ in the heart of Titus. For indeed he accepted the exhortation, but being more earnest, of his own accord he went out to you⁺. And we sent with him the brother whose praise in the gospel is through all of the churches, and not only that, but also having been appointed by the churches, he is our fellow traveler with this grace that is being ministered by us8.19 See 1 Corinthians 16:3–4. toward the glory of the Lord Himself and to our readiness, avoiding this, lest anyone should blame us in this abundance being ministered by us. For we are giving forethought to what is right, not only before the Lord but also before men. Now we sent with them our brother, whom we proved often in many things to be earnest, but now much more earnest by his confidence that is in you⁺. Whether as regards Titus my partner and fellow worker for you⁺. or our brothers, they are apostles8.23 Or messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ— the demonstration therefore of your⁺ love and of our boasting on behalf of you⁺ to them, demonstrated to the face of the churches. God Loves a Cheerful Giver (1 Corinthians 16:1–4) For indeed, concerning the ministry to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you⁺. For I know your⁺ readiness, which I boast of to Macedonians on behalf of you⁺, that Achaia has been prepared from a year ago, and your⁺ zeal provoked the greater part. But I sent the brothers so that our boasting that is on behalf of you⁺ in this matter should not be made void, so that you⁺ may be prepared, as I have been saying— lest perhaps if Macedonians should come with me and should find you⁺ unprepared, we would be put to shame—not that we might say you⁺—in this confidence.9.4 BYZ and TR include in our boasting. Therefore I deemed it necessary to exhort the brothers that they should go before to you⁺ and should complete beforehand your⁺ foreannounced blessing, thus for this to be ready as a blessing and not as covetousness. Now this: The one sowing sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one sowing upon blessings will also reap upon blessings, each as he has purposed in the heart, not out of grief or out of necessity. For God loves a cheerful giver.9.7 BYZ and TR as he purposes 9.7 See Proverbs 22:8, LXX addition. And God is able to make all grace abound to you⁺, so that in every way, always, having all sufficiency, you⁺ may abound to every good work. As it has been written: “He scattered abroad; He gave to the poor; His righteousness remains to the age.” 9.9 Psalm 112:9 Now the One supplying seed to the one sowing and bread for food will supply and will multiply your⁺ seed and will increase the fruits of your⁺ righteousness, being enriched in every way to all generosity, which produces through us thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also abounding through many thanksgivings to God, through the proof of this ministry, glorifying God upon your⁺ submission of confession to the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of the fellowship to them and to all. And their supplication is for you⁺, longing for you⁺ on account of the surpassing grace of God upon you⁺. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! Paul’s Apostolic Authority Now I, Paul, myself exhort you⁺ by the mildness and gentleness of Christ—I who indeed as to presence am humble among you⁺, but being absent am bold toward you⁺. Now I implore you that being present, I need not to be bold with the confidence with which I reckon to be daring toward some reckoning us as walking according to the flesh. For walking in flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but powerful before God toward the tearing down of strongholds, tearing down arguments and every high thing lifting itself up against the knowledge of God, and taking captive every thought into the obedience of Christ, and having readiness within to avenge all disobedience, when your⁺ obedience shall have been fulfilled. You⁺ are looking at things according to appearance. If anyone has been persuaded in himself to be of Christ, let him reckon this upon himself again, that as he is of Christ, so also are we. For even if I should boast somewhat more abundantly concerning our authority, which the Lord gave us for building up and not for tearing you⁺ down, I will not be ashamed, so that I might not seem as if to frighten you⁺ through the letters. For they say, “The letters indeed are weighty and strong, but the presence of the body is weak, and the word is of no account.” Let such a one reckon this, that such as we are in word through letters being absent, also such we are in deed being present. For we do not dare to classify or to compare ourselves with some commending themselves. But these, measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves with themselves, do not understand. But we will not boast unto the things without measure, but according to the measure of the area that God apportioned to us, a measure to reach even as far as you⁺. For we are not overextending ourselves, as not reaching to you⁺. For we came also as far as you⁺ in the gospel of Christ, not boasting unto the things without measure in others’ labors, but having hope of your⁺ faith increasing among you⁺ to be enlarged according to our area, to abundance, so as to preach the gospel in the places beyond you⁺, not to boast in the things ready in another’s area. But, “The one boasting, let him boast in the Lord.” 10.17 Jeremiah 9:24 For the one commending himself, that one is not approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. Paul and the False Apostles I wish you⁺ were bearing with me in a little foolishness, but you⁺ also bear with me. For I am jealous as to you⁺ with the jealousy of God. For I betrothed you⁺ to one husband, to present a pure virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, your⁺ minds might be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity11.3 BYZ and TR do not include and the purity that is to Christ. For if indeed the one coming proclaims another Jesus whom we did not proclaim, or you⁺ receive a different spirit that you⁺ did not receive, or a different gospel that you⁺ did not accept, you⁺ bear with it well. For I reckon in nothing to have been lacking to the “most eminent apostles.” But even if I am unskilled in word, yet not in knowledge; but in every way, we were made manifest to you⁺ in all things. Or did I commit a sin, humbling myself so that you⁺ might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you⁺ freely? I robbed other churches, having received support for ministry to you⁺. And being present with you⁺ and having been in need, I burdened no one; for the brothers having come from Macedonia supplied my need, and in everything I kept and will keep myself unburdensome to you⁺. The truth of Christ is in me, that this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia. Because of what? Because I do not love you⁺? God knows I do! But what I do, I also will do, so that I might cut off the opportunity of those wanting an opportunity that in what they boast they might be found according as also we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not great if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. Paul’s Suffering and Service (Colossians 1:24–29) Again I say, no one should think me to be a fool; but if otherwise, receive me even as a fool, that I also may boast a little. What I am speaking, I am not speaking according to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting. Since many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast. For gladly you⁺ bear with fools—being wise! For you⁺ bear with it if anyone enslaves you⁺, if anyone devours you, if anyone takes from you, if anyone lifts himself up, if anyone strikes you⁺ in the face. I speak as to dishonor, as that we have been weak! But in that which anyone may dare—I speak in foolishness—I also dare. Are they Hebrews? I also. Are they Israelites? I also. Are they seed of Abraham? I also. Are they servants of Christ? I speak as being beside myself—I too above measure: in labors more abundantly, in imprisonments more abundantly, in beatings surpassingly,11.23 BYZ and TR in worse beatings, in more imprisonments in deaths often. Five times I received from the Jews forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I have passed a night and a day in the deep; in journeyings often, in dangers of rivers, in dangers of robbers; in dangers from kindred, in dangers from the Gentiles; in dangers in the city, in dangers in the wilderness;11.26 Or desert in dangers in the sea, in dangers among false brothers; in labor and toil, in sleepless nights often; in hunger and thirst, in fastings often; in cold and nakedness. Apart from the external things, the crowding on me on every day is the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and I am not burned? If it is necessary to boast, I will boast in the things of my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus,11.31 BYZ of the Lord Jesus Christ; TR and GOC of our Lord Jesus Christ the One being blessed to the ages,11.31 Or worthy of praise forever knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of the Damascenes to seize me.11.32 BYZ and TR wishing to seize me But I was let down in a basket through a window through the wall, and I escaped his hands. Paul’s Revelation It is necessary to boast; it is not profitable indeed,12.1 BYZ and TR Surely it is not beneficial for me to boast, but I will go to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago—whether in the body, I do not know, or out of the body, I do not know; God knows—such a man, having been caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man—whether in the body or apart from12.3 BYZ and TR out of the body, I do not know; God knows— that he was caught up into Paradise,12.4 See Luke 23:43 and Revelation 2:7 and he heard inexpressible words, not being permitted to man to speak. Paul’s Thorn and God’s Grace On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on behalf of myself I will not boast, except in the weaknesses. For if I should want to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should reckon to me above what he sees in me or anything he hears of me, and the surpassingness of the revelations. Therefore, so that I should not be over-exalted,12.7 Some translators end the previous paragraph after verse 6, and begin verse 7 with So to keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, a thorn in my flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, that he might buffet me, so that I should not be over-exalted. Three times I entreated the Lord for this, that it might depart from me. And He has said to me, “My grace suffices for you, for the power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, rather, I will boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I am well pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions and difficulties—for Christ; for when I may be weak, then I am powerful. Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians I have become a fool;12.11 BYZ and TR include in my boasting. you⁺ compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you⁺. For in nothing was I lacking to the “most eminent apostles,” even if I am nothing. Indeed, the signs of the apostle were performed among you⁺ in all perseverance, both in signs and wonders and miracles. For in what is it that you⁺ were inferior beyond the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you⁺? Forgive me this wrong! Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you⁺, and I will not be a burden.12.14 BYZ and TR include to you. For I do not seek what is yours⁺, but you⁺. For the children ought not to treasure up for the parents, but the parents for the children. Now I will spend most gladly, and will be utterly spent for your⁺ souls.12.15 BYZ and TR souls, even if the more I love you, the less I am loved. If loving you⁺ more abundantly, am I loved less? But be it so, I did not burden you⁺; but being crafty, I took you⁺ by trickery. By any of whom I have sent to you⁺, did I take advantage of you⁺ by him? I exhorted Titus to go, and I sent with him the brother. Did Titus take advantage of you⁺? Did we not walk in the same Spirit? Not in the same footsteps?12.18 Or Did we not walk in the same Spirit and follow in the same footsteps? Do you⁺ think all along12.19 BYZ and TR Do you still think that we are making a defense to you⁺? We speak in Christ before God, and all things, beloved, for your⁺ edification. For I fear lest somehow, having come, I might not find you⁺ such as I wish, and I might be found by you⁺ such as you⁺ do not wish; lest somehow there is strife,12.20 NA, F35, SBL, and WH quarreling jealousy,12.20 BYZ and TR jealousies rage, rivalries, slander, gossip, conceit, disorder; lest on my having come again, my God should humble me as to you⁺, and I should mourn many of those having before sinned and not having repented of the impurity and sexual immorality and sensuality that they have practiced. Examine Yourselves This third time I am coming to you⁺. “On the mouth of two or three witnesses every word will be established.”13.1 Deuteronomy 19:15 I have said before, and I say it before as being present the second time and being absent now,13.2 BYZ and TR include I write to those having sinned before and to all the rest, that if I come to the same again, I will not spare anyone, since you⁺ seek proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you⁺ but is powerful among you⁺. For13.4 BYZ and TR include although. also He was crucified out of weakness, yet He lives out of God's power. For we also are weak in Him, but we will live with Him out of God’s power toward you⁺. Test yourselves, whether you⁺ are in the faith; examine yourselves. Or do you⁺ not recognize yourselves that Jesus Christ13.5 TH Christ Jesus is in you⁺?—unless you⁺ are unapproved. And I trust that you⁺ will learn that we are not unapproved. Now we pray13.7 BYZ and TR I pray to God for you⁺ to do nothing wrong, not that we might appear approved, but that you⁺ may do what is right, though we might appear as unapproved. For we have no power against the truth, but for the truth. For we rejoice when we may be weak but you⁺ may be powerful. This also we pray for: your⁺ perfection. Because of this, I write these things being absent, so that being present I should not treat you severely according to the authority that the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down. Benediction and Farewell Finally, brothers, rejoice! Be perfected, be exhorted,13.11 Or encourage one another be of the same mind, be at peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you⁺. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you⁺. The grace of the13.14 F35 our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you⁺.13.14 Texts vary in verse numbering for the last three verses of this chapter. BYZ and TR end with Amen.