1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. For I will come to
visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ, fourteen
years ago (whether in the body, I don’t know, or whether out of the body, I
don’t know; God knows), such a one caught up into the third heaven. 3 I
know such a man (whether in the body, or outside of the body, I don’t know;
God knows), 4 how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable
words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 On behalf of such a
one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my
weaknesses. 6 For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I
will speak the truth. But I forbear, so that no man may account of me above
that which he sees in me, or hears from me. 7 By reason of the exceeding
greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, there
was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that
I should not be exalted excessively. 8 Concerning this thing, I begged the
Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 He has said to me, “My
grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most
gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of
Christ may rest on me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities,
in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then
am I strong. 11 I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me,
for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I behind the
very best apostles, though I am nothing. 12 Truly the signs of an apostle
were worked among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty works.
13 For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of
the assemblies, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive
me this wrong.
14 Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will
not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the
children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the
children. 15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I
love you more abundantly, am I loved the less? 16 But be it so, I did not
myself burden you. But, being crafty, I caught you with deception. 17 Did
I take advantage of you by anyone of them whom I have sent to you? 18 I
exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage
of you? Didn’t we walk in the same spirit? Didn’t we walk in the same steps?
19 Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the
sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your
edifying. 20 For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find
you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don’t
desire; that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of
anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, riots; 21 that
again when I come my God would humble me before you, and I would mourn for
many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness
and sexual immorality and lustfulness which they committed.
World English Bible - Public Domain |
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