The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
1:1Paul,
an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints that are
in the whole of Achaia: 1:2Grace
to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1:3Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies
and God of all comfort; 1:4who
comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort them
that are in any affliction, through the comfort wherewith we ourselves
are comforted of God. 1:5For
as the sufferings of Christ abound unto us, even so our comfort also aboundeth
through Christ. 1:6But
whether we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or whether
we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which worketh in the patient
enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: 1:7and
our hope for you is stedfast; knowing that, as ye are partakers of the
sufferings, so also are ye of the comfort. 1:8For
we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning our affliction which
befell us in Asia, that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond
our power, insomuch that we despaired even of life: 1:9yea,
we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should
not trust in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the dead: 1:10who
delivered us out of so great a death, and will deliver: on whom we have
set our hope that he will also still deliver us; 1:11ye
also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the
gift bestowed upon us by means of many, thanks may be given by many persons
on our behalf. 1:12For
our glorifying is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness
and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we
behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. 1:13For
we write no other things unto you, than what ye read or even acknowledge,
and I hope ye will acknowledge unto the end: 1:14as
also ye did acknowledge us in part, that we are your glorying, even as
ye also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus. 1:15And
in this confidence I was minded to come first unto you, that ye might have
a second benefit; 1:16and
by you to pass into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come unto you,
and of you to be set forward on my journey unto Judaea. 1:17When
I therefore was thus minded, did I show fickleness? or the things that
I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should
be the yea yea and the nay nay? 1:18But
as God is faithful, our word toward you is not yea and nay. 1:19For
the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even
by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not yea and nay, but in him is yea. 1:20For
how many soever be the promises of God, in him is the yea: wherefore also
through him is the Amen, unto the glory of God through us. 1:21Now
he that establisheth us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God; 1:22who
also sealed us, and gave us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. 1:23But
I call God for a witness upon my soul, that to spare you I forbare to come
unto Corinth. 1:24Not
that we have lordship over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for
in faith ye stand fast.
2:1But
I determined this for myself, that I would not come again to you with sorrow. 2:2For
if I make you sorry, who then is he that maketh me glad but he that is
made sorry by me? 2:3And
I wrote this very thing, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them
of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is
the joy of you all. 2:4For
out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many
tears; not that ye should be made sorry, but that ye might know the love
that I have more abundantly unto you. 2:5But
if any hath caused sorrow, he hath caused sorrow, not to me, but in part
(that I press not too heavily) to you all. 2:6Sufficient
to such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the many; 2:7so
that contrariwise ye should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by
any means such a one should be swallowed up with his overmuch sorrow. 2:8Wherefore
I beseech you to confirm your love toward him. 2:9For
to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether
ye are obedient in all things. 2:10But
to whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also: for what I also have
forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, for your sakes have I forgiven
it in the presence of Christ; 2:11that
no advantage may be gained over us by Satan: for we are not ignorant of
his devices. 2:12Now
when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ, and when a door was opened
unto me in the Lord, 2:13I
had no relief for my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but
taking my leave of them, I went forth into Macedonia. 2:14But
thanks be unto God, who always leadeth us in triumph in Christ, and maketh
manifest through us the savor of his knowledge in every place. 2:15For
we are a sweet savor of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, and in
them that perish; 2:16to
the one a savor from death unto death; to the other a savor from life unto
life. And who is sufficient for these things? 2:17For
we are not as the many, corrupting the word of God: but as of sincerity,
but as of God, in the sight of God, speak we in Christ.
3:1Are
we beginning again to commend ourselves? or need we, as do some, epistles
of commendation to you or from you? 3:2Ye
are our epistle, written in our hearts, known and read of all men; 3:3being
made manifest that ye are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written
not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone,
but in tables that are hearts of flesh. 3:4And
such confidence have we through Christ to God-ward: 3:5not
that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves;
but our sufficiency is from God; 3:6who
also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter,
but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 3:7But
if the ministration of death, written, and engraven on stones, came
with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly upon
the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which glory was passing
away: 3:8how
shall not rather the ministration of the spirit be with glory? 3:9For
if the ministration of condemnation hath glory, much rather doth the ministration
of righteousness exceed in glory. 3:10For
verily that which hath been made glorious hath not been made glorious in
this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasseth. 3:11For
if that which passeth away was with glory, much more that which
remaineth is in glory. 3:12Having
therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech, 3:13and
are not as Moses, who put a veil upon his face, that the
children of Israel should not look stedfastly on the end of that which
was passing away: 3:14but
their minds were hardened: for until this very day at the reading of the
old covenant the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed to them
that it is done away in Christ. 3:15But
unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart. 3:16But
whensoever it shall turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 3:17Now
the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there
is liberty. 3:18But
we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord,
are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the
Lord the Spirit.
4:1Therefore
seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint not: 4:2but
we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness,
nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the
truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 4:3And
even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that perish: 4:4in
whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that
the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God,
should not dawn upon them. 4:5For
we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your
servants for Jesus' sake. 4:6Seeing
it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in
our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the
face of Jesus Christ. 4:7But
we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness
of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves; 4:8we
are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto
despair; 4:9pursued,
yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed; 4:10always
bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus
may be manifested in our body. 4:11For
we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life
also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 4:12So
then death worketh in us, but life in you. 4:13But
having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, I
believed, and therefore did I speak; we also believe, and therefore also
we speak; 4:14knowing
that he that raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also with Jesus,
and shall present us with you. 4:15For
all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied
through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of
God. 4:16Wherefore
we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man
is renewed day by day. 4:17For
our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and
more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; 4:18while
we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not
seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which
are not seen are eternal.
5:1For
we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have
a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. 5:2For
verily in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our habitation
which is from heaven: 5:3if
so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 5:4For
indeed we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened; not for
that we would be unclothed, but that we would be clothed upon, that what
is mortal may be swallowed up of life. 5:5Now
he that wrought us for this very thing is God, who gave unto us the earnest
of the Spirit. 5:6Being
therefore always of good courage, and knowing that, whilst we are at home
in the body, we are absent from the Lord 5:7(for
we walk by faith, not by sight); 5:8we
are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the
body, and to be at home with the Lord. 5:9Wherefore
also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing
unto him. 5:10For
we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each
one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he
hath done, whether it be good or bad. 5:11Knowing
therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest
unto God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. 5:12We
are not again commending ourselves unto you, but speak as giving
you occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may have wherewith to answer
them that glory in appearance, and not in heart. 5:13For
whether we are beside ourselves, it is unto God; or whether we are of sober
mind, it is unto you. 5:14For
the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that one died
for all, therefore all died; 5:15and
he died for all, that they that live should no longer live unto themselves,
but unto him who for their sakes died and rose again. 5:16Wherefore
we henceforth know no man after the flesh: even though we have known Christ
after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more. 5:17Wherefore
if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are
passed away; behold, they are become new. 5:18But
all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and
gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation; 5:19to
wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning
unto them their trespasses, and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 5:20We
are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating
by us: we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God. 5:21Him
who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become
the righteousness of God in him.
6:1And
working together with him we entreat also that ye receive not the
grace of God in vain 6:2(for
he saith,
At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee,
And in a day of salvation did I succor thee:
behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation): 6:3giving
no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed; 6:4but
in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience,
in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 6:5in
stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; 6:6in
pureness, in knowledge, in long suffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit,
in love unfeigned, 6:7in
the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on
the right hand and on the left, 6:8by
glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet
true; 6:9as
unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened,
and not killed; 6:10as
sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having
nothing, and yet possessing all things. 6:11Our
mouth is open unto you, O Corinthians, our heart is enlarged. 6:12Ye
are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own affections. 6:13Now
for a recompense in like kind (I speak as unto my children), be
ye also enlarged. 6:14Be
not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness
and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness? 6:15And
what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what portion hath a believer with
an unbeliever? 6:16And
what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of
the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them;
and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 6:17Wherefore
Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate,
saith the Lord,
And touch no unclean thing;
And I will receive you,
6:18And
will be to you a Father,
And ye shall be to me sons and daughters,
saith the Lord Almighty.
7:1Having
therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement
of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 7:2Open
your hearts to us: we wronged no man, we corrupted no man, we took advantage
of no man. 7:3I
say it not to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in
our hearts to die together and live together. 7:4Great
is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying on your behalf:
I am filled with comfort, I overflow with joy in all our affliction. 7:5For
even when we were come into Macedonia our flesh had no relief, but we
were afflicted on every side; without were fightings, within
were fears. 7:6Nevertheless
he that comforteth the lowly, even God, comforted us by the coming
of Titus; 7:7and
not by his coming only, but also by the comfort wherewith he was comforted
in you, while he told us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me;
so that I rejoiced yet more. 7:8For
though I made you sorry with my epistle, I do not regret it: though I did
regret it (for I see that that epistle made you sorry, though but
for a season), 7:9I
now rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye were made sorry unto
repentance; for ye were made sorry after a godly sort, that ye might suffer
loss by us in nothing. 7:10For
godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, a repentance which
bringeth no regret: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 7:11For
behold, this selfsame thing, that ye were made sorry after a godly sort,
what earnest care it wrought in you, yea what clearing of yourselves, yea
what indignation, yea what fear, yea what longing, yea what zeal, yea what
avenging! In everything ye approved yourselves to be pure in the matter. 7:12So
although I wrote unto you, I wrote not for his cause that did the
wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest
care for us might be made manifest unto you in the sight of God. 7:13Therefore
we have been comforted: And in our comfort we joyed the more exceedingly
for the joy of Titus, because his spirit hath been refreshed by you all. 7:14For
if in anything I have gloried to him on your behalf, I was not put to shame;
but as we spake all things to you in truth, so our glorying also which
I made before Titus was found to be truth. 7:15And
his affection is more abundantly toward you, while he remembereth the obedience
of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him. 7:16I
rejoice that in everything I am of good courage concerning you.
8:1Moreover,
brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in
the churches of Macedonia; 8:2how
that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep
poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 8:3For
according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, they
gave of their own accord, 8:4beseeching
us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the
ministering to the saints: 8:5and
this, not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves
to the Lord, and to us through the will of God. 8:6Insomuch
that we exhorted Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would
also complete in you this grace also. 8:7But
as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge,
and in all earnestness, and in your love to us, see
that ye abound in this grace also. 8:8I
speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness
of others the sincerity also of your love. 8:9For
ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet
for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become
rich. 8:10And
herein I give my judgment: for this is expedient for you, who were
the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will. 8:11But
now complete the doing also; that as there was the readiness to
will, so there may be the completion also out of your ability. 8:12For
if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according as a man
hath, not according as he hath not. 8:13For
I say not this that others may be eased and ye distressed; 8:14but
by equality: your abundance being a supply at this present time
for their want, that their abundance also may become a supply for
your want; that there may be equality: 8:15as
it is written, He that gathered much had nothing over; and he that
gathered little had no lack. 8:16But
thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart
of Titus. 8:17For
he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he
went forth unto you of his own accord. 8:18And
we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel is
spread through all the churches; 8:19and
not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with
us in the matter of this grace, which is ministered by us to the
glory of the Lord, and to show our readiness: 8:20Avoiding
this, that any man should blame us in the matter of this bounty
which is ministered by us: 8:21for
we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord,
but also in the sight of men. 8:22and
we have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest
in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence
which he hath in you. 8:23Whether
any inquire about Titus, he is my partner and my fellow-worker
to you-ward, or our brethren, they are the messengers of the churches,
they are the glory of Christ. 8:24Show
ye therefore unto them in the face of the churches the proof of your love,
and of our glorying on your behalf.
9:1For
as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to
write to you: 9:2for
I know your readiness, of which I glory on your behalf to them of Macedonia,
that Achaia hath been prepared for a year past; and your zeal hath stirred
up very many of them. 9:3But
I have sent the brethren, that our glorying on your behalf may not be made
void in this respect; that, even as I said, ye may be prepared: 9:4lest
by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared,
we (that we say not, ye) should be put to shame in this confidence. 9:5I
thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brethren, that they would
go before unto you, and make up beforehand your aforepromised bounty, that
the same might be ready as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion. 9:6But
this I say, He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly;
and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 9:7Let
each man do according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly,
or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 9:8And
God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all
sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work: 9:9as
it is written,
He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor;
His righteousness abideth for ever.
9:10And
he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and
multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness: 9:11ye
being enriched in everything unto all liberality, which worketh through
us thanksgiving to God. 9:12For
the ministration of this service not only filleth up the measure of the
wants of the saints, but aboundeth also through many thanksgivings unto
God; 9:13seeing
that through the proving of you by this ministration they glorify
God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ, and
for the liberality of your contribution unto them and unto all; 9:14while
they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, long after you
by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you. 9:15Thanks
be to God for his unspeakable gift.
10:1Now
I Paul myself entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I who
in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am of good courage
toward you: 10:2yea,
I beseech you, that I may not when present show courage with the confidence
wherewith I count to be bold against some, who count of us as if we walked
according to the flesh. 10:3For
though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh 10:4(for
the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God
to the casting down of strongholds), 10:5casting
down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge
of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; 10:6and
being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience shall
be made full. 10:7Ye
look at the things that are before your face. If any man trusteth in himself
that he is Christ's, let him consider this again with himself, that, even
as he is Christ's, so also are we. 10:8For
though I should glory somewhat abundantly concerning our authority (which
the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down), I shall
not be put to shame: 10:9that
I may not seem as if I would terrify you by my letters. 10:10For,
His letters, they say, are weighty and strong; but his bodily presence
is weak, and his speech of no account. 10:11Let
such a one reckon this, that, what we are in word by letters when we are
absent, such are we also in deed when we are present. 10:12For
we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with certain of them that
commend themselves: but they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves,
and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding. 10:13But
we will not glory beyond our measure, but according to the measure
of the province which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even
unto you. 10:14For
we stretch not ourselves overmuch, as though we reached not unto you: for
we came even as far as unto you in the gospel of Christ: 10:15not
glorying beyond our measure, that is, in other men's labors;
but having hope that, as your faith groweth, we shall be magnified in you
according to our province unto further abundance, 10:16so
as to preach the gospel even unto the parts beyond you, and not
to glory in another's province in regard of things ready to our hand. 10:17But
he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 10:18For
not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
11:1Would
that ye could bear with me in a little foolishness: but indeed ye do bear
with me. 11:2For
I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I espoused you to one
husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 11:3But
I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness,
your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that
is toward Christ. 11:4For
if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if
ye receive a different spirit, which ye did not receive, or a different
gospel, which ye did not accept, ye do well to bear with him. 11:5For
I reckon that I am not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. 11:6But
though I be rude in speech, yet am I not in knowledge; nay,
in every way have we made this manifest unto you in all things. 11:7Or
did I commit a sin in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because
I preached to you the gospel of God for nought? 11:8I
robbed other churches, taking wages of them that I might minister
unto you; 11:9and
when I was present with you and was in want, I was not a burden on any
man; for the brethren, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure
of my want; and in everything I kept myself from being burdensome unto
you, and so will I keep myself. 11:10As
the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this glorying in
the regions of Achaia. 11:11Wherefore?
because I love you not? God knoweth. 11:12But
what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them that desire
an occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. 11:13For
such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into
apostles of Christ. 11:14And
no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light. 11:15It
is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as
ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works. 11:16I
say again, let no man think me foolish; but if ye do, yet as foolish
receive me, that I also may glory a little. 11:17That
which I speak, I speak not after the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this
confidence of glorying. 11:18Seeing
that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also. 11:19For
ye bear with the foolish gladly, being wise yourselves. 11:20For
ye bear with a man, if he bringeth you into bondage, if he devoureth you,
if he taketh you captive, if he exalteth himself, if he smiteth
you on the face. 11:21I
speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet whereinsoever
any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also. 11:22Are
they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed
of Abraham? so am I. 11:23Are
they ministers of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I more; in labors
more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure,
in deaths oft. 11:24Of
the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 11:25Thrice
was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck,
a night and a day have I been in the deep; 11:26in
journeyings often, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers,
in perils from my countrymen, in perils from the Gentiles,
in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in
perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 11:27in
labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings
often, in cold and nakedness. 11:28Besides
those things that are without, there is that which presseth upon me daily,
anxiety for all the churches. 11:29Who
is weak, and I am not weak? who is caused to stumble, and I burn not? 11:30If
I must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern my weakness. 11:31The
God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed for evermore knoweth
that I lie not. 11:32In
Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes
in order to take me: 11:33and
through a window was I let down in a basket by the wall, and escaped his
hands.
12:1I
must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions
and revelations of the Lord. 12:2I
know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not;
or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught
up even to the third heaven. 12:3And
I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know
not; God knoweth), 12:4how
that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which
it is not lawful for a man to utter. 12:5On
behalf of such a one will I glory: but on mine own behalf I will not glory,
save in my weaknesses. 12:6For
if I should desire to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I shall speak
the truth: but I forbear, lest any man should account of me above that
which he seeth me to be, or heareth from me. 12:7And
by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should
not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a
messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch. 12:8Concerning
this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 12:9And
he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: 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 upon me. 12:10Wherefore
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. 12:11I
am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended
of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though
I am nothing. 12:12Truly
the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, by signs
and wonders and mighty works. 12:13For
what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the churches,
except it be that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this
wrong. 12:14Behold,
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 yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay
up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 12:15And
I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more
abundantly, am I loved the less? 12:16But
be it so, I did not myself burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you
with guile. 12:17Did
I take advantage of you by any one of them whom I have sent unto you? 12:18I
exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage
of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same
steps? 12:19Ye
think all this time that we are excusing ourselves unto you. In the sight
of God speak we in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your
edifying. 12:20For
I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you not such as I
would, and should myself be found of you such as ye would not; lest by
any means there should be strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings,
whisperings, swellings, tumults; 12:21lest
again when I come my God should humble me before you, and I should mourn
for many of them that have sinned heretofore, and repented not of the uncleanness
and fornication and lasciviousness which they committed.
13:1This
is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses or
three shall every word established. 13:2I
have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the
second time, so now, being absent, to them that have sinned heretofore,
and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare; 13:3seeing
that ye seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me; who to you-ward is
not weak, but is powerful in you: 13:4for
he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God.
For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him through the power
of God toward you. 13:5Try
your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or
know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless
indeed ye be reprobate. 13:6But
I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate. 13:7Now
we pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but
that ye may do that which is honorable, though we be as reprobate. 13:8For
we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 13:9For
we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong: this we also pray for,
even your perfecting. 13:10For
this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present
deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building
up, and not for casting down. 13:11Finally,
brethren, farewell. Be perfected; be comforted; be of the same mind; live
in peace: and the God of love and peace shall be with you. 13:12Salute
one another with a holy kiss. 13:13All
the saints salute you. 13:14The
grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion
of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
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