Chapter 12

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

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

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  And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)  

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

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  Of such one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in my infirmities.  

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  For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or what he heareth from me.  

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  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.  

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  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  

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  And he said to 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 rest upon me.  

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  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.  

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  I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended by you: for in nothing am I behind the very greatest apostles, though I am nothing.  

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  Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.  

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  For what is that in which ye were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.  

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  Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.  

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  And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.  

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  But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.  

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  Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent to you?  

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  I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?  

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  Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves to you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edification.  

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  For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found by you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:  

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  And lest, when I come again, my God may humble me among you, and I shall bewail many who have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness, and lewdness, and lasciviousness, which they have committed.  

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