It is not
expedient
for me
doubtless
to glory
.
I will come
to
visions
and
revelations
of the Lord
.
I knew a man
in
Christ
above
fourteen
years
ago
, (whether
in
the body
, I cannot
tell
; or whether
out
of the body
, I cannot
tell
: God
knoweth
;) such an one
caught up
to
the third
heaven
.
And I knew
such
a man
, (whether
in
the body
, or
out
of the body
, I cannot
tell
: God
knoweth
;)
How that he was caught up
into
paradise
, and
heard
unspeakable
words
, which
it is
not
lawful
for a man
to utter
.
Of such an one
will I glory
: yet
of
myself
I will
not
glory
, but
in
mine
infirmities
.
For though
I would desire
to glory
, I shall
not
be
a fool
; for
I will say
the truth
: but
now I forbear
, lest
any man
should think
of
me
above
that which
he seeth
me
to be , or
that he heareth
of
me
.
And lest
I should be exalted above measure
through the abundance
of the revelations
, there was given
to me
a thorn
in the flesh
, the messenger
of Satan
to
buffet
me
, lest
I should be exalted above measure
.
For this thing
I besought
the Lord
thrice
, that
it might depart
from
me
.
And he said
unto me
, My
grace
is sufficient
for thee
: for
my
strength
is made perfect
in
weakness
. Most gladly
therefore
will I
rather
glory
in
my
infirmities
, that
the power
of Christ
may rest
upon
me
.
Therefore I take pleasure
in
infirmities
, in
reproaches
, in
necessities
, in
persecutions
, in
distresses
for
Christ's
sake
: for
when
I am weak
, then
am
I strong
.
I am become a fool
in glorying
; ye
have compelled
me
: for
I
ought
to have been commended
of
you
: for
in nothing
am I behind
the very chiefest
apostles
, though
I be
nothing
.
Truly the signs
of an apostle
were wrought
among
you
in
all
patience
, in
signs
, and
wonders
, and
mighty deeds
.
For what
is it
wherein
ye were inferior
to
other
churches
, except
it be that
I
myself
was
not
burdensome
to you
? forgive
me
this
wrong
.
Behold, the third time
I am
ready
to come
to
you
; and
I will
not
be burdensome
to you
: for
I seek
not
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
you
; though
the more abundantly
I love
you
, the less
I be loved
.
But be it so
, I
did
not
burden
you
: nevertheless
, being
crafty
, I caught
you
with guile
.
Did I make a gain of you
by
any
of them
whom
I sent
unto
you
?
I desired Titus
, and
with him I sent
a brother
. Did
Titus
make a gain
of you
? walked we
not
in the same
spirit
? walked we not
in the same
steps
?
Again, think ye
that
we excuse ourselves
unto you
? we speak
before
God
in
Christ
: but
we do all things
, dearly beloved
, for
your
edifying
.
For I fear
, lest
, when I come
, I shall
not
find
you
such as
I would
, and that I
shall be found
unto you
such as
ye would
not
: lest
there be debates
, envyings
, wraths
, strifes
, backbitings
, whisperings
, swellings
, tumults
:
And lest, when I come
again
, my
God
will humble
me
among
you
, and
that I shall bewail
many
which
have sinned already
, and
have
not
repented
of
the uncleanness
and
fornication
and
lasciviousness
which
they have committed
.