Paul's LettersNew Testament
Chapter 12· Book VIII of 27
1Verse 1. Open verse actions.It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. For I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2Verse 2. Open verse actions.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. 3Verse 3. Open verse actions.I know such a man (whether in the body, or outside of the body, I don’t know; God knows), 4Verse 4. Open verse actions.how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5Verse 5. Open verse actions.On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses. 6Verse 6. Open verse actions.For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, so that no man may think more of me than that which he sees in me, or hears from me. 7Verse 7. Open verse actions.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 torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively. 8Verse 8. Open verse actions.Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9Verse 9. Open verse actions.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. 10Verse 10. Open verse actions.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. 11Verse 11. Open verse actions.I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing. 12Verse 12. Open verse actions.Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty works. 13Verse 13. Open verse actions.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. 14Verse 14. Open verse actions.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. 15Verse 15. Open verse actions.I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less? 16Verse 16. Open verse actions.But be it so, I did not myself burden you. But, being crafty, I caught you with deception. 17Verse 17. Open verse actions.Did I take advantage of you by anyone of them whom I have sent to you? 18Verse 18. Open verse actions.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? 19Verse 19. Open verse actions.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. 20Verse 20. Open verse actions.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; 21Verse 21. Open verse actions.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.