1
It isnotexpedient for medoubtlesstoglory. I will cometovisionsandrevelations of the Lord.
2
I knew a maninChristabovefourteenyears ago,(whetherin the body, I cannottell; or whetherout of the body, I cannottell: Godknoweth;) such an one caught upto the thirdheaven.
3And I knewsuch a man,(whether in the body, orout of the body, I cannottell: Godknoweth;)
4
How that he was caught upintoparadise, andheardunspeakablewords, which it isnotlawful for a man to utter.
5Of such an onewill I glory: yetofmyself I willnotglory, butinmineinfirmities.
6Forthough I would desire to glory, I shallnotbe a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should thinkofmeabove that which he seethme to be, or that he hearethofme.
7Andlest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was giventome a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satantobuffetme, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8For this thing I besought the Lordthrice, that it might departfromme.
9And he said unto me, Mygrace is sufficientforthee: formystrength is made perfectinweakness. Most gladlytherefore will Irathergloryinmyinfirmities, that the power of Christ may restuponme.
10Therefore I take pleasureininfirmities, inreproaches, innecessities, inpersecutions, indistressesfor Christ's sake: forwhen I amweak, thenam I strong.
11I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelledme: forIought to have been commendedofyou: for in nothing am Ibehind the very chiefestapostles, thoughIbenothing.
12Truly the signs of an apostle were wroughtamongyouinallpatience, insigns, andwonders, and mighty deeds.
13Forwhat is itwherein ye were inferiortootherchurches, exceptit be thatImyselfwasnotburdensometoyou?forgivemethiswrong.
14Behold, the third time I amreadytocometoyou; and I willnot be burdensometoyou: for I seeknotyours, butyou: for the childrenoughtnotto lay upfor the parents, but the parentsfor the children.
15AndI will very gladlyspendand be spentforyou; though the more abundantlyIloveyou, the lessI be loved.
16But be it so, Ididnotburdenyou: nevertheless, beingcrafty, Icaughtyou with guile.
17
Did I make a gain of youbyany of themwhom I sentuntoyou?
18
I desiredTitus, and with him I sent a brother. DidTitus make a gain of you? walked wenot in the samespirit? walked wenot in the samesteps?
19Again, think yethat we excuse ourselves unto you? we speakbeforeGodinChrist: but we do all things, dearly beloved, foryouredifying.
20ForIfear, lest, when Icome, Ishallnotfindyou such asIwould, and that Ishall be found unto you such as ye wouldnot: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
21Andlest, when I comeagain, myGod will humblemeamongyou, and that I shall bewailmanywhichhave sinned already, andhavenotrepentedof the uncleannessandfornicationandlasciviousnesswhich they havecommitted.