2Corinthians:12

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Seeker Overlay ON

* I must go on boasting , though there is nothing to be gained by it ; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord . * I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven . Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know —God knows . * And I know that this man —whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know , but God knows — * was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things , which a man is not permitted to tell . * On behalf of such a man I will boast , but on my own behalf I will not boast , except of my weaknesses . * Though if I should boast , I will not be a fool , for I will be speaking the truth . But I refrain from it , so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me . * And to keep me from being too elated because of the abundance of revelations , there was given to me a thorn in the flesh , a messenger of Satan , to harass me , to keep me from being too elated . * Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this , that it should depart from me . * But he said to me , »My grace is sufficient for you , for my power is made perfect in weakness .« Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses , so that the power of Christ may rest on me . * That is why , for Christ 's sake , I am content in weaknesses , in insults , in hardships , in persecutions , in difficulties ; for when I am weak , then I am strong . * I have been a fool ! You forced me to it , for I ought to have been commended by you . For I was not in the least inferior to these super-apostles , even though I am nothing . * The signs of a true apostle were performed among you in all perseverance , with signs and wonders and mighty works . * For in what respect were you inferior to the rest of the churches , except that I myself did not become a burden to you ? Forgive me this wrong ! * Here for the third time I am ready to come to you . And I will not be a burden to you , for I seek not what is yours but you ; for children ought not to lay up for their parents , but parents for their children . * I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls . If I love you the more , am I to be loved the less ? * But be that as it may , I did not burden you myself . Yet , crafty fellow that I am , I caught you by trickery ! * Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you ? * I urged Titus to go , and I sent the brother with him . Titus did not take advantage of you , did he ? Did we not act in the same spirit and walk in the same steps ? * Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves before you ? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ , and all for your upbuilding , beloved . * For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you what I wish you to be , and you may not find me what you wish me to be ; I fear that there may be quarreling , jealousy , outbursts of anger , factions , slander , gossip , arrogance and disorder . * I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you , and I will have to mourn over many of those who sinned before and have not repented of the impurity , immorality , and lewdness which they have practiced .

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