Haweis - II Corinthians - 12

12:1  IT is not expedient doubtless for me to boast. I will yet come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

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

12:3  And I knew such a man, (whether in the body or out of the body I know not: God knoweth,)

12:4  that he was caught up into paradise, and heard ineffable words, which it is not permitted to man to speak.

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

12:6  For though I should be disposed to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I shall speak truth: but I desist, lest any man think of me above what he seeth me to be, or what he heareth of me.

12:7  And that I might not be lifted up above measure by the transcendent greatness of the revelations, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, the angel Satan, to buffet me, that I might not be lifted up above measure.

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

12:9  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 fix its residence in me.

12:10  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.

12:11  Have I become a fool in boasting? ye have compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing have I been inferior to the very chief apostles, though I be nothing.

12:12  The signs indeed of an apostle have been wrought among you in all patience, in miracles, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

12:13  For what is there wherein ye have been inferior to the other churches, except that I have not been burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong.

12:14  Lo! I hold myself ready the third time to come unto you, and I will not burden you; for I seek not yours but you: for the children ought not to lay up treasure for their parents, but the parents for the children.

12:15  And I will most cheerfully spend and be spent for your souls, though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.

12:16  But admit it, I was not burdensome to you: but being crafty, I caught you with guile.

12:17  Did I make a gain of you by any one individual whom I sent unto you?

12:18  I entreated Titus to go to you, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make any advantage of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

12:19  Think ye that we are again making an apology to you? In the sight of God speak we in Christ: but all things, beloved, for your edification.

12:20  For I am afraid that when I come I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found of you such as ye would not: lest haply there be contentions, jealousies, animosities, quarrels, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

12:21  and lest when I come to you again, my God should bow me down, and I should lament over many who have sinned before, and have not repented of the impurities, and whoredom, and lasciviousness which they have committed.