12:1 To boast is necessary, though indeed not expedient; yet I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
夸口固然无益,但我是不得已的。我要来说主的异象和启示。
12:2 I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body I do not know, or outside the body I do not know; God knows) such a one was caught away to the third heaven.
12:3 And I know such a man (whether in the body or outside the body, I do not know; God knows),
并且我认得这样一个人,(或在身内,或在身外,我都不晓得,只有神晓得,)
12:4 That he was caught away into Paradise and heard unspeakable words, which it is not allowed for a man to speak.
他被提进乐园里,听见不能言传的话语,是人不可说的。
12:5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on behalf of myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.
为这样的一位,我要夸口,但是为我自己,除了我的软弱以外,我并不夸口。
12:6 For if I desire to boast, I will not be foolish, for I will speak the truth; but I refrain lest anyone account of me something above what he sees me to be or hears from me.
12:7 And because of the transcendence of the revelations, in order that I might not be exceedingly lifted up, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, that he might buffet me, in order that I might not be exceedingly lifted up.
12:8 Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
为这事,我三次求过主,叫这刺离开我。
12:9 And He has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly therefore I will rather boast in my weaknesses that the power of Christ might tabernacle over me.
12:10 Therefore I am well pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions and distresses, on behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am powerful.
12:11 I have become foolish; you yourselves have compelled me. For it is I who should have been commended by you; for in nothing am I inferior to the super-apostles, even though I am nothing.
12:12 Indeed the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all endurance by signs and wonders and works of power.
我使徒的记号,确已在你们中间,以全般的忍耐,借着神迹、奇事和异能,完全显出来了。
12:13 For what is there in which you were treated in a manner inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Graciously forgive me this injustice!
因为除了我自己不累着你们以外,你们还有什么事不及其余的召会?这不公之处,你们饶恕我吧!
12:14 Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden; for I do not seek what is yours but you. For the children ought not to store up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
12:15 But I, I will most gladly spend and be utterly spent on behalf of your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved less?
我极其喜欢为你们花费,并完全花上自己。难道我越发爱你们,就越发少得你们的爱么?
12:16 But let it be so! I did not burden you; but, as some of you say, being crafty, I took you by guile.
罢了!我并没有加给你们担子,你们却有人说,我是狡猾诡诈,用诡计牢笼你们。
12:17 Did I take advantage of you through anyone whom I have sent to you?
我所差到你们那里去的人,我借着其中一个占过你们的便宜么?
12:18 I entreated Titus and sent with him the brother. Titus did not take advantage of you, did he? Did we not walk in the same spirit? In the same steps?
12:19 All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Before God in Christ we speak; but all things, beloved, are for your building up.
你们一向以为我们是向你们分诉,我们乃是在基督里当着神面前说话。亲爱的,一切的事都是为建造你们。
12:20 For I fear that perhaps when I come, I may find you not such as I wish, and I may be found by you not such as you wish; that perhaps there may be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, slanders, whisperings, demonstrations of being puffed up, tumults;
12:21 That when I come again my God may humble me before you and I may mourn over many who have sinned before and who have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and licentiousness which they have practiced.