New International Reader's Version NIRV
The Latin Vulgate VUL
1 We can't gain anything by bragging. But I have to do it anyway. I am going to tell you what I've seen. I want to talk about what the Lord has shown me.
1
si gloriari oportet non expedit quidem veniam autem ad visiones et revelationes Domini
2 I know a believer in Christ who was taken up to the third heaven 14 years ago. I don't know if his body was taken up or not. Only God knows.
2
scio hominem in Christo ante annos quattuordecim sive in corpore nescio sive extra corpus nescio Deus scit raptum eiusmodi usque ad tertium caelum
3 I don't know if that man was in his body or out of it. Only God knows. But I do know that
3
et scio huiusmodi hominem sive in corpore sive extra corpus nescio Deus scit
4 he was taken up to paradise. He heard things that couldn't be put into words. They were things that people aren't allowed to talk about.
4
quoniam raptus est in paradisum et audivit arcana verba quae non licet homini loqui
5 I will brag about a man like that. But I won't brag about myself. I will brag only about how weak I am.
5
pro eiusmodi gloriabor pro me autem nihil gloriabor nisi in infirmitatibus meis
6 Suppose I decide to brag. That would not make me a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I don't do it. Then no one will think more of me than he should because of what I do or say.
6
nam et si voluero gloriari non ero insipiens veritatem enim dicam parco autem ne quis in me existimet supra id quod videt me aut audit ex me
7 I could have become proud of myself because of the amazing and wonderful things God has shown me. So I was given a problem that caused pain in my body. It is a messenger from Satan to make me suffer.
7
et ne magnitudo revelationum extollat me datus est mihi stimulus carnis meae angelus Satanae ut me colaphizet
8 Three times I begged the Lord to take it away from me.
8
propter quod ter Dominum rogavi ut discederet a me
9 But he said to me, "My grace is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak." So I am very happy to brag about how weak I am. Then Christ's power can rest on me.
9
et dixit mihi sufficit tibi gratia mea nam virtus in infirmitate perficitur libenter igitur gloriabor in infirmitatibus meis ut inhabitet in me virtus Christi
10 Because of how I suffered for Christ, I'm glad that I am weak. I am glad in hard times. I am glad when people say mean things about me. I am glad when things are difficult. And I am glad when people make me suffer. When I am weak, I am strong.
10
propter quod placeo mihi in infirmitatibus in contumeliis in necessitatibus in persecutionibus in angustiis pro Christo cum enim infirmor tunc potens sum
11 I have made a fool of myself. But you made me do it. You should have praised me. Even though I am nothing, I am in no way less important than the "super-apostles."
11
factus sum insipiens vos me coegistis ego enim debui a vobis commendari nihil enim minus fui ab his qui sunt supra modum apostoli tametsi nihil sum
12 You can recognize apostles by the signs, wonders and miracles they do. Those things were faithfully done among you no matter what happened.
12
signa tamen apostoli facta sunt super vos in omni patientia signis et prodigiis et virtutibus
13 How were you less important than the other churches? The only difference was that I didn't cause you any expense. Forgive me for that wrong!
13
quid est enim quod minus habuistis prae ceteris ecclesiis nisi quod ego ipse non gravavi vos donate mihi hanc iniuriam
14 Now I am ready to visit you for the third time. I won't cause you any expense. I don't want what you have. What I really want is you. After all, children shouldn't have to save up for their parents. Parents should save up for their children.
14
ecce tertio hoc paratus sum venire ad vos et non ero gravis vobis non enim quaero quae vestra sunt sed vos nec enim debent filii parentibus thesaurizare sed parentes filiis
15 So I will be very happy to spend everything I have for you. I will even spend myself. If I love you more, will you love me less?
15
ego autem libentissime inpendam et superinpendar ipse pro animabus vestris licet plus vos diligens minus diligar
16 In any case, I haven't caused you any expense. But I'm such a tricky fellow! I have caught you by tricking you!
16
sed esto ego vos non gravavi sed cum essem astutus dolo vos cepi
17 Did I take advantage of you through any of the men I sent to you?
17
numquid per aliquem eorum quos misi ad vos circumveni vos
18 I asked Titus to go to you. And I sent our brother with him. Titus didn't take advantage of you, did he? Didn't I act in the same spirit? Didn't I follow the same path?
18
rogavi Titum et misi cum illo fratrem numquid Titus vos circumvenit nonne eodem spiritu ambulavimus nonne hisdem vestigiis
19 All this time, have you been thinking that I've been speaking up for myself? No, I've been speaking with God as my witness. I've been speaking like a believer in Christ. Dear friends, everything I do is to help you become stronger.
19
olim putatis quod excusemus nos apud vos coram Deo in Christo loquimur omnia autem carissimi propter vestram aedificationem
20 I'm afraid that when I come I won't find you as I want you to be. I'm afraid that you won't find me as you want me to be. I'm afraid there will be arguing, jealousy and fits of anger. I'm afraid you will separate into your own little groups. Then you will tell lies about each other. You will talk about each other. I'm afraid you will be proud and cause trouble.
20
timeo enim ne forte cum venero non quales volo inveniam vos et ego inveniar a vobis qualem non vultis ne forte contentiones aemulationes animositates dissensiones detractiones susurrationes inflationes seditiones sint inter vos
21 I'm afraid that when I come again my God will put me to shame in front of you. Then I will be sad about many who sinned earlier and have not turned away from it. They have not turned away from uncleanness, sexual sins and wild living. They have done all those things.
21
ne iterum cum venero humiliet me Deus apud vos et lugeam multos ex his qui ante peccaverunt et non egerunt paenitentiam super inmunditia et fornicatione et inpudicitia quam gesserunt
Holy Bible, New International Reader's Version® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.