2Corinthians:12

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Seeker Overlay ON

* I must brag , although it does not do any good . I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord . * I know a man in Christ , fourteen years ago , such a one caught up even to the third heaven . * And I know such a man , * how he was caught up into Paradise , and heard unspeakable words , which it is not lawful for a man to speak . * I will brag about this person , but I will not brag about myself unless it is about my weaknesses . * If I ever wanted to brag , I would not be a fool . Instead , I would be telling the truth . But I am going to spare you so that no one may think more of me than what he sees or hears about me . * I was given a painful physical ailment that will keep me from being puffed up with pride because of the many wonderful things I saw . It acts as Satan 's messenger to beat me and keep me from being proud . * Three times I prayed to God about this and asked him to take it away . * He told me : »My grace is sufficient for you for my strength is made perfect in weakness .« Most gladly therefore , I would rather glory in my infirmities , that the power of Christ may rest upon me . (Isaiah strkjv @40:29-31 ) * Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities , in reproaches , in necessities , 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 about you : for in nothing am I inferior to the most prominent apostles , though I am nothing . * Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you in all patience , in signs , and wonders , and mighty deeds . * What is it in which you were inferior to other congregations , except that I was not burdensome to you ? Forgive me this wrong . * Behold , the third time I am ready to come to you . I will not be burdensome to you : for I seek not yours , but you . The children should not provide for the parents , but the parents for the children . * I will gladly spend and be spent for you . When I love you more abundantly should I be loved less . * Just the same , I did not burden you : nevertheless , being crafty , I caught you by cunning . * Did I gain you by any of them whom I sent to you ? * I desired Titus , and with him I sent a brother . Did Titus gain you ? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same mental disposition ? Did we not walk in the same steps ? * Do you think that we excuse ourselves to you ? We speak before God in Christ : but we do all things , dearly beloved , for you ’re up building . * I am afraid that I may come and find you different from what I want you to be , and that you may find me different from what you want me to be . I fear that there may be rivalry , jealousy , hot tempers , selfish ambition , slander , gossip , arrogance , and disorderly conduct . * I am afraid that the next time I come my God will humiliate me in your presence , and I shall weep over many who sinned in the past and have not repented of the uncleanness , fornication and loose conduct that they have practiced .

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