12:1 我自夸固然无益，但我是不得已的。如今我要说到主的显现和启示。

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

 

12:2 我认得一个在基督里的人，他前十四年被提到第三层天上去。或在身内，我不知道。或在身外，我也不知道。只有神知道。

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 我认得这人，或在身内，或在身外，我都不知道。只有神知道。

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

 

12:4 他被提到乐园里，听到隐秘的言语，是人不可说的。

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

 

12:5 为这人，我要夸口。但是为我自己，除了我的软弱以外，我并不夸口。

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

 

12:6 我就是愿意夸口，也不算狂。因为我必说实话。只是我禁止不说，恐怕有人把我看高了，过于他在我身上所看见所听见的。

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.

 

12:7 又恐怕我因所得的启示甚大，就过于自高，所以有一根刺加在我肉体上，就是撒但的差役，要攻击我，免得我过于自高。

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.

 

12:8 为这事，我三次求过主，叫这刺离开我。

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

 

12:9 他对我说，我的恩典够你用的。因为我的能力，是在人的软弱上显得完全。所以我更喜欢夸自己的软弱，好叫基督的能力覆庇我。

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.

 

12:10 我为基督的缘故，就以软弱，凌辱，急难，逼迫，困苦，为可喜乐的。因我什么时候软弱，什么时候就刚强了。

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.

 

12:11 我成了愚妄人，是被你们强逼的。我本该被你们称许才是。我算不了什么，却没有一件事在那些最大的使徒以下。

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.

 

12:12 我在你们中间，用百般的忍耐，藉着神迹奇事异能，显出使徒的凭据来。

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

 

12:13 除了我不累着你们这一件事，你们还有什么事不及别的教会呢。这不公之处，求你们饶恕我吧。

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.

 

12:14 如今我打算第三次到你们那里去，也必不累着你们，因我所求的是你们，不是你们的财物。儿女不该为父母积财，父母该为儿女积财。

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.

 

12:15 我也甘心乐意为你们的灵魂费财费力。难道我越发爱你们，就越发少得你们的爱吗。

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

 

12:16 吧了，我自己并没有累着你们，你们却有人说，我是诡诈，用心计牢笼你们。

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

 

12:17 我所差到你们那里去的人，我藉着他们一个人占过你们的便宜吗。

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

 

12:18 我劝了提多到你们那里去，又差那位兄弟与他同去。提多占过你们的便宜吗。我们行事，不同是一个心灵吗。不同是一个脚踪吗。（心灵或作圣灵）。

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?

 

12:19 你们到如今，还想我们是向你们分诉。我们本是在基督里当神面前说话。亲爱的弟兄阿，一切的事，都是为造就你们。

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.

 

12:20 我怕我再来的时候，见你们不合我所想望的，你们见我也不合你们所想望的。又怕有分争，嫉妒，恼怒，结党，毁谤，才言，狂傲，混乱的事。

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:

 

12:21 且怕我来的时候，我的神叫我在你们面前渐愧。又因许多人从前犯罪，行污秽奸淫邪荡的事，不肯悔改，我就忧愁。

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.