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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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[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? |
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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. |