The Holy Bible
King James Bible 2016
| 12:1 | It is obviously not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: |
| 12:2 | I knew a man in Christ who over fourteen years ago (whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows) such a one was caught up to the third heaven. |
| 12:3 | And I knew such a man (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows) |
| 12:4 | how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. |
| 12:5 | Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses. |
| 12:6 | Because though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; because I will speak the truth. But now I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or that he hears from me. |
| 12:7 | And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to wound me, lest I be exalted above measure. |
| 12:8 | Concerning this thing I sought the Lord three times that it might depart from me. |
| 12:9 | And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, because My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. |
| 12:10 | Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. Because when I am weak, then I am strong. |
| 12:11 | I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. Because, I ought to have been commended by you; because, in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing. |
| 12:12 | Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. |
| 12:13 | Because, what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except it is that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong! |
| 12:14 | Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; because, I do not seek yours, but you. Because, the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. |
| 12:15 | And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. |
| 12:16 | But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with craftiness! |
| 12:17 | Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you? |
| 12:18 | I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps? |
| 12:19 | Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification. |
| 12:20 | Because, I fear lest, when I come, I will not find you such as I wish, and that I will be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be debates, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, puffed up pride, commotion; |
| 12:21 | and lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I will mourn for many who have sinned already and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have committed. |
