“1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to
visions and revelations of the Lord. 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 an one caught up to the
third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of
the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4 How that he was caught up into
paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man
to utter. 5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory,
but in mine infirmities. 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 [that]
he heareth of me. 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. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it
might depart from me. 9 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. 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.”
“11 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 Truly the signs of an apostle
were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and
mighty deeds. 13 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. 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. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you;
though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. 16 But be it
so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with
guile. 17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
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? 19 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. 20 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: 21 [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.” (2 Corinthians 12:1-21
AV)
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