2 Corinthians 12
Paul's Thorn in the
Flesh |
1 |
It is not expedient for me doubtless to
glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
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2 |
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 a one caught up to the
third heaven.
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3 |
And I knew such a man, (whether in the
body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
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4 |
how that he was caught up into paradise,
and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to
utter.
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5 |
Of such a one will I glory: yet of myself
I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
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6 |
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.
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7 |
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.
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8 |
For this thing I besought the Lord
thrice, that it might depart from me.
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9 |
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.
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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 am I strong.
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11 |
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.
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12 |
Truly the signs of an apostle were
wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty
deeds.
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13 |
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.
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Paul Plans a Third
Visit |
14 |
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.
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15 |
And I will very gladly spend and be spent
for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be
loved.
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16 |
But be it so, I did not burden you:
nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
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17 |
Did I make a gain of you by any of them
whom I sent unto you?
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18 |
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?
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19 |
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.
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20 |
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:
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21 |
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.
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