2 Corinthians 12(ESV) Paul's Visions and His Thorn I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heavenwhether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3And I know that this man was caught up into paradisewh...

2 Corinthians 11(ESV) Paul and the False Apostles I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! 2For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 3But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devoti...

2 Corinthians 10 (ESV) Paul Defends His Ministry I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of ChristI who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away! 2I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh...

2 Corinthians 9(ESV) The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints,2for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3But I am sending[a] the brothers so that our boast...

2 Corinthians 8 (ESV) Encouragement to Give Generously We want you to know, brothers,[a] about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and ...

2 Corinthians 7(ESV) Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body[a] and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. Paul's Joy 2Make room in your hearts[b] for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. 3I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before th...

2 Corinthians 6(ESV) Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2For he says, "In a favorable time I listened to you,and in a day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministr...

2 Corinthians 5(ESV) Our Heavenly Dwelling For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3if indeed by putting it on[a] we may not be found naked. 4For while we are still in this tent, we groan, bei...

2 Corinthians 4 (ESV) The Light of the Gospel Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God,a]"[a] we do not lose heart.2But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practiceb]"[b]cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 3And even if o...

2 Corinthians 3(ESV) Ministers of the New Covenant Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? 2You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our[a] hearts, to be known and read by all. 3And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with t...