2Corinthians:12

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* Though it is not profitable for me to boast , I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord . * I knew a man in Christ who fourteen years ago , (whether in the body , I cannot tell ; or whether out of the body , I cannot tell : God knows ;) was caught up to the third heaven . * And I know that this man , (whether in the body , or out of the body , I cannot tell : God knows ;) * Was caught up into paradise , and heard inexpressible words , which it is not lawful for a man to utter . * Of such a man I will boast : yet of myself I will not boast , except of my weaknesses . * If I should desire to boast , I shall not be a fool ; for I will speak the truth : but I refrain , lest any man should think of me beyond that which he sees in me , or hears from me . * And lest I should exalt myself beyond measure through the abundance of revelations , there was given to me a thorn in the flesh , a messenger from Satan to buffet me , lest I should be exalted beyond measure . * I begged the Lord thrice , that this 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 will I boast in my weaknesses , that the power of Christ may rest upon me . * Therefore , for Christ 's sake , I take pleasure in weaknesses , in insults , in hardships , in persecutions , in distresses : for when I am weak , then I am strong . * I have made a fool of myself ; you have compelled me : for I ought to have been commended by you : for in nothing am I behind these superlative apostles , though I am nothing . * The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all patience , by signs , and wonders , and miracles . * For in what way were you less favoured than other churches , except that I myself was not burdensome to you ? forgive me this wrong . * Behold , for the third time I am ready to come to you ; and I will not be burdensome to you : for I do not seek what is yours , but you : for the children ought not to save up for the parents , but the parents for the children . * And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls . If I love you more abundantly , am I to be loved the less ? * But be that as it may , I did not burden you : nevertheless , being crafty , I caught you with guile . * Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you ? * I urged Titus to go , and with him I sent the brother . Did Titus take advantage of you ? did we not act in the same spirit and walk in the same steps ? * All this time have you been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you ? we speak before God in Christ : but we do all things , dearly beloved , for your strengthening . * For I fear that when I come , I shall not find you as I wish , and you shall not find me to be as you wish ; lest perhaps there may be quarreling , jealousy , outbursts of wrath , rivalries , slander , gossip , conceit , disorder : * And I fear that , when I come again , my God may humble me before you , and I shall mourn over many who have sinned and have not repented of the impurity and sexual sin and licentiousness which they have committed .

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