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It isnotexpedient for medoubtless to glory . I will comeatovisionsandrevelations of the Lord.2
I knew a maninChristabovefourteenyearsago, (whether in the body, I cannottell ; or whetherout of the body, I cannottell : Godknoweth ;) such an one caught upto the thirdheaven.3And I knewsuch a man, (whether in the body,orout of the body, I cannottell : Godknoweth ;)
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How that he was caught upintoparadise,andheardunspeakablewords,which it isnotlawfulb for a man to utter .
5Of such an one will I glory : yetofmyself I willnotglory , butinmineinfirmities.6Forthough I would desire to glory , I shallnotbe a fool;for I will say the truth:but now I forbear , lest any man should thinkofmeabove that which he seethme to be, or that he hearethofme.7Andlest 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 Satantobuffetme,lest I should be exalted above measure .
8For this thing I besought the Lordthrice,that it might departfromme.9And he said unto me,Mygrace is sufficient for thee:formystrength is made perfectinweakness. Most gladlytherefore will Irathergloryinmyinfirmities,that the power of Christ may restuponme.10Therefore I take pleasureininfirmities,inreproaches,innecessities,inpersecutions,indistressesforChrist'ssake:forwhen I am weak , thenam I strong.11
I am become a fool in glorying ; ye have compelledme:forIought to have been commendedofyou:for in nothing am I behind the very chiefestapostles , though I benothing.12Truly the signs of an apostle were wroughtamongyouinallpatience,insigns,andwonders,and mighty deeds.13Forwhat is itwherein ye were inferiortootherchurches,except it be thatImyselfwasnotburdensome to you?forgivemethiswrong.14Behold , the third time I amready to cometoyou;and I willnot be burdensome to you:for I seeknotyours,butyou:for the childrenoughtnot to lay up for the parents,but the parents for the children.15AndI will very gladlyspendand be spentforyou ;cthough the more abundantly I loveyou, the less I be loved .
16But be it so , Ididnotburdenyou:nevertheless,beingcrafty, I caughtyou with guile.17
Did I make a gain of youbyany of themwhom I sentuntoyou?18
I desiredTitus,and with him I sent a brother.DidTitus make a gain of you? walked wenot in the samespirit? walked we not in the samesteps?19Again, think yethat we excuse ourselves unto you? we speakbeforeGodinChrist:but we do all things, dearly beloved,foryouredifying.20For I fear , lest , when I come , I shallnotfindyou such as I would , and that I shall be found unto you such as ye wouldnot:lestthere be debates,envyings,wraths,strifes,backbitings,whisperings,swellings,tumults:21
And lest, when I comeagain,myGod will humblemeamongyou,and that I shall bewailmanywhich have sinned already , andhavenotrepentedof the uncleannessandfornicationandlasciviousnesswhich they have committed .