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Instructions ...or just type it: |
The Second Epistle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians
Chapter 12
His raptures and revelations, His being buffeted by Satan. His fear for the Corinthians.
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If I must glory (it is not expedient indeed) but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. |
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I know a man in Christ: above fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not, or out of the body, I know not: God knoweth), such a one caught up to the third heaven. |
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And I know such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not: God knoweth): |
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That he was caught up into paradise and heard secret words which it is not granted to man to utter. |
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For such an one I will glory: but for myself I will glory nothing but in my infirmities. |
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For though I should have a mind to glory, I shall not be foolish: for I will say the truth. But I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth in me, or any thing he heareth from me. |
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And lest the greatness of the revelations should exalt me, there was given me a sting of my flesh, an angel of Satan, to buffet me. |
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For which thing, thrice I besought the Lord that it might depart from me. |
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And he said to me: My grace is sufficient for thee: for power is made perfect in infirmity. Gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. |
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For which cause I please myself in my infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ. For when I am weak, then am I powerful. |
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I am become foolish. You have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended by you. For I have no way come short of them that are above measure apostles, although I be nothing. |
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Yet the signs of my apostleship have been wrought on you, in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. |
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For what is there that you have had less than the other churches but that I myself was not burthensome to you? Pardon me this injury. |
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Behold now the third time I am ready to come to you and I will not be burthensome unto you. For I seek not the things that are yours, but you. For neither ought the children to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. |
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But I most gladly will spend and be spent myself for your souls: although loving you more, I be loved less. |
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But be it so: I did not burthen you: but being crafty, I caught you by guile. |
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Did I overreach you by any of them whom I sent to you? |
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I desired Titus: and I sent with him a brother. Did Titus overreach you? Did we not walk with the same spirit? Did we not in the same steps? |
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Of old, think you that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ: but all things, my dearly beloved, for your edification. |
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For I fear lest perhaps, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found by you such as you would not. Lest perhaps contentions, envyings, animosities, dissensions, detractions, whisperings, swellings, seditions, be among you. |
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Lest again, when I come, God humble me among you: and I mourn many of them that sinned before and have not done penance for the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness that they have committed. |
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