Worsley - II Corinthians - 12

12:1  To boast indeed does not become me: but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

12:2  I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago (whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not, God knoweth) such a one caught up to the third heaven.

12:3  And I know such a man (whether then in the body, or out of the body,

12:4  I know not, God knoweth) that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unutterable words, which it is not permitted unto man to speak.

12:5  Of such a one I will boast; but of myself I will not boast, unless in my infirmities.

12:6  For though I should incline to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I should speak truth. But I forbear least any one should think of me above what he seeth me to be, or heareth from me.

12:7  And least I should be too much lifted up with the abundance of the revelations, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, least I should be too much elevated.

12:8  For this I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

12:9  And He said unto me, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is manifested in thy weakness." With the greatest pleasure therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

12:10  And therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, and in straits for the sake of Christ: for when I am thus weak, then am I made strong.

12:11  Am I become vain in boasting? ye have forced me to it: for I ought to have been recommended by you, as I have in nothing fallen short of the very chiefest of the apostles, though in myself I am nothing.

12:12  The marks indeed of an apostle have been shewn among you with all patience, by signs, and wonders, and miracles.

12:13  For what is it that ye were inferior in to the rest of the churches, unless it be that I myself was not burdensome to you?--- Forgive me this injury.

12:14  Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not your substance, but your selves. For children are not expected to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

12:15  And I will with the greatest pleasure spend and be spent for your souls; even though the more I love you, the less I should be loved.

12:16  Be it so, that I did not burden you myself, yet, may some say, being crafty I over-reached you by subtilty.

12:17  But did I make a gain of you by any of those whom I sent to you?

12:18  I desired Titus to come to you, and with him I sent a brother: did Titus make a gain of you? did we not walk in the same spirit? did we not tread in the same steps?

12:19  Do ye then think that we are making apologies to you? No, we speak before God in Christ: and all, my beloved, for your edification.

12:20  For I am afraid least when I come, I should not find you such as I could wish, and I should be found to you such as ye would not: least there should be contentions, emulations, animosities, strifes, thwartings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: and least,

12:21  when I come again, my God should humble me among you, and I should be grieved for many of those who have sinned heretofore, and have not repented of the impurity, and fornication, and lewdness which they have practised.