It is not
expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come
to visions and revelations of the Lord.
02 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.
03 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body,
or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
04 How that he was caught up into paradise, and
heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful
for a man to utter.
05 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I
will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
06 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.
07 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.
08 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice,
that it might depart from me.
09 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 your's 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.
__________________________________ |
