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Chapter 12
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1
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It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will
come to visions and revelations of the Lord. |
2
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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
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And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out
of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) |
4
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How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard
unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to
utter. |
5
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Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not
glory, but in mine infirmities. |
6
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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
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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
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For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it
might depart from me. |
9
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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
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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
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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
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Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you
in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. |
13
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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
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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
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And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you;
though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be
loved. |
16
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But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being
crafty, I caught you with guile. |
17
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Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent
unto you? |
18
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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
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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
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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
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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. |
