Chapter 12

  It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.  

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  I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I don't know, or whether out of the body, I don't know; God knows), such a one caught up into the third heaven.  

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  I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I don't know; God knows),  

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  how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.  

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  On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.  

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  For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I forbear, so that no man may account of me above that which he sees in me, or hears from me.  

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  By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted excessively.  

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  Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me.  

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  He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.  

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  Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.  

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  I have become foolish. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I behind the very best apostles, though I am nothing.  

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  Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all patience, by signs and wonders and mighty works.  

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  For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong.  

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  Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.  

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  I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?  

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  But be it so, I did not myself burden you. But, being crafty, I caught you with deception.  

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  Did I take advantage of you by anyone of them whom I have sent to you?  

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  I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Didn't we walk in the same spirit? Didn't we walk in the same steps?  

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  Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.  

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  For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don't desire; that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, riots;  

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  that again when I come my God would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness and sexual immorality and lustfulness which they committed.  

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