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[1]I might boast, but it is not expedient; for I come to visions and revelations of the Lord. |
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[2]I knewⓘ a man in the Meshiha fourteen years ago,ⓘ—whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not, Aloha himself knoweth,—who, this one himself, was rapt unto the third [region] of heaven.ⓘ |
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[3]And I know this man himself,—but whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not, Aloha himself knoweth, |
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[4]—and he was rapt into paradise, and heard words which are not uttered, those which it is not lawful for a man to utter. |
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[5]Of this I boast; but of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. |
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[6]Yet if I willed to boast, I should not be a fool, for I say the truth; but I spare, lest any one think of me beyond that which he seeth me [to be], and what he heareth of me. |
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[7]And that I might not be exalted by the abundance of revelations, there was delivered to me a stimulus of my flesh, an angel of Satana to buffet me, that I might not be exalted. |
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[8]Concerning this three times I entreated of my Lord that it might be removed from me. |
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[9]And he said to me, My grace sufficeth thee; for my power in weakness is perfected. Gladly therefore will I boast in my infirmities, that the power of the Meshiha may overshadow me. |
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[10]For this cause I am willing in infirmities, in reviling, in affliction, in persecutions, in distresses, for the sake of the Meshiha; for when I am weak, then am I strong. |
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[11]Behold, I have been deficient in mind in my boasting, because you have constrained me; for you were debtors to bear witness concerning me; because in nothing am I less than those apostles who are the most eminent, nevertheless I am not any thing. |
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[12]The signs of the apostles I have wrought among you in all patience, and with mighty acts and miracles and with powers. |
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[13]For in what have you been less than the other churches, except in this, that I have not burdened you? Forgive me this offence. |
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[14]Behold, this is three times that I prepare to come to you, and not to burden you; for I seek not yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up treasures for the parents, but the parents for their children. |
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[15]But I gladly the expenses will spend, and also myself will I give for the sake of your souls: though, while the more I love you, you the less love me. |
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[16]And, perhaps, [though] I did not burden you, yet [it may be said], as a crafty man with deceit I have robbed you. |
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[17]By any other whom I have sent to you have I made prey of you? |
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[18]Of Titos I requested, and sent with him the brethren.ⓘ In any thing has Titos made prey of you? Have we not walked in one spirit, and in the same steps? |
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[19]DO you again consider that we apologize to you? Before Aloha in the Meshiha do we speak; and all, my beloved, for the sake of your up-building. |
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[20]For I fear lest, when I come to you, I should not find you as I wish, but should find you what you would not wish: lest there be contention and envy, and wrath and angry talk, and accusations and murmurings, and pompousness and agitation: |
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[21]And lest, when I come to you, my God may humiliate me, and I may have to lament over many who have sinned, and have not repented of the uncleanness and of the fornication and of the lasciviousness which they have committed. |