1
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord
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 an one caught up to the third heaven
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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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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Of such an one will I glory yet of myself I will not glory but in mine infirmities
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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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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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For this thing I besought the Lord thrice that it might depart from me
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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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Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in necessities in persecutions in distresses for hrist’s sake for when I am weak then am I strong
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
12
Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience in signs and wonders and mighty deeds
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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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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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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But be it so I did not burden you nevertheless being crafty I caught you with guile
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Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you
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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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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
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
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