2Corinthians:12

---

Seeker Overlay ON

* It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast . I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord : * I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know , or whether out of the body I do not know , God knows--such a one was caught up to the third heaven . * And I know such a man--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know , God knows -- * how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words , which it is not lawful for a man to utter . * Of such a one I will boast ; yet of myself I will not boast , except in my infirmities . * For though I might desire to boast , I will not be a fool ; for I will speak the truth . But I refrain , lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me . * And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations , a thorn in the flesh was given to me , a messenger of Satan to buffet me , lest I be exalted above measure . * Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me . * And He said to me , "My grace is sufficient for you , for My strength is made perfect in weakness ." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities , that the power of Christ may rest upon me . * Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities , in reproaches , in needs , in persecutions , in distresses , for Christ 's sake . For when I am weak , then I am strong . * I have become a fool in boasting ; you have compelled me . For I ought to have been commended by you ; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles , though I am nothing . * Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance , in signs and wonders and mighty deeds . * For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches , except that I myself was not burdensome to you ? Forgive me this wrong ! * Now for the third time I am ready to come to you . And I will not be burdensome to you ; for I do not seek yours , but you . For the children ought not to lay up for the parents , but the parents for the children . * And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls ; though the more abundantly I love you , the less I am loved . * But be that as it may , I did not burden you . Nevertheless , being crafty , I caught you by cunning ! * Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you ? * I urged Titus , and sent our brother with him . Did Titus take advantage of you ? Did we not walk in the same spirit ? Did we not walk in the same steps ? * Again , do you think that we excuse ourselves to you ? We speak before God in Christ . But we do all things , beloved , for your edification . * For I fear lest , when I come , I shall not find you such as I wish , and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish ; lest there be contentions , jealousies , outbursts of wrath , selfish ambitions , backbitings , whisperings , conceits , tumults ; * lest , when I come again , my God will humble me among you , and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness , fornication , and lewdness which they have practiced .

---