nsb - 2Corinthians:12

nsb@2Corinthians:12:1 @ I must brag, although it does not do any good. I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.

nsb@2Corinthians:12:2 @ I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago, such a one caught up even to the third heaven.

nsb@2Corinthians:12:3 @ And I know such a man,

nsb@2Corinthians:12:4 @ how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to speak.

nsb@2Corinthians:12:5 @ I will brag about this person, but I will not brag about myself unless it is about my weaknesses.

nsb@2Corinthians:12:6 @ 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.

nsb@2Corinthians:12:7 @ 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.

nsb@2Corinthians:12:8 @ Three times I prayed to God about this and asked him to take it away.

nsb@2Corinthians:12:9 @ 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)

nsb@2Corinthians:12:10 @ 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.

nsb@2Corinthians:12:11 @ 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.

nsb@2Corinthians:12:12 @ Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

nsb@2Corinthians:12:13 @ What is it in which you were inferior to other congregations, except that I was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong.

nsb@2Corinthians:12:14 @ 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.

nsb@2Corinthians:12:15 @ I will gladly spend and be spent for you. When I love you more abundantly should I be loved less.

nsb@2Corinthians:12:16 @ Just the same, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning.

nsb@2Corinthians:12:17 @ Did I gain you by any of them whom I sent to you?

nsb@2Corinthians:12:18 @ 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?

nsb@2Corinthians:12:19 @ Do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for youre up building.

nsb@2Corinthians:12:20 @ 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.

nsb@2Corinthians:12:21 @ 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.