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[1]Itis not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
[2]Iknew 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.
[3]AndI knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
[4]Thathe was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
[5]Ofsuch one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in my infirmities.
[6]Forthough 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.
[7]Andlest 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]Forthis thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
[9]Andhe 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.
[10]ThereforeI 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]Iam 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]Trulythe signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
[13]Forwhat is that in which ye were inferior to other churches, except 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]AndI will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.
[16]Butbe it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
[17]DidI make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent to you?
[18]Idesired 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 to you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edification.
[20]ForI 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:
[21]Andlest, 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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