12:1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come
to visions and revelations of the Lord.
12:2 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 one caught up to the third
heaven.
12:3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the
body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
12:4 That he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable
words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
12:5 Of such one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory,
but in my infirmities.
12:6 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
[what] he heareth from me.
12:7 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 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might
depart from me.
12:9 And he said to 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 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 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for
I ought to have been commended by you: for in nothing am I
behind the very greatest apostles, though I am nothing.
12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in
all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
12:13 For what is that in which ye were inferior to other
churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you?
forgive me this wrong.
12:14 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 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though
the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.
12:16 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being
crafty, I caught you with guile.
12:17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent to
you?
12:18 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 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves to you? we speak
before God in Christ: but [we do] all things, dearly beloved,
for your edification.
12:20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such
as I would, and [that] I shall be found by you such as ye would
not: lest [there be] debates, envyings, wraths, strifes,
backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
12:21 [And] lest, when I come again, my God may humble me among
you, and I shall bewail many who have sinned already, and have
not repented of the uncleanness, and lewdness, and
lasciviousness, which they have committed.
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