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