| Chapter 12 |
1 | If I must glory (it is not expedient indeed): but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
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2 | 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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3 | And I know such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not: God knoweth):
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4 | That he was caught up into paradise, and heard secret words, which it is not granted to man to utter.
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5 | For such an one I will glory; but for myself I will glory nothing, but in my infirmities.
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6 | 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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7 | 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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8 | For which thing thrice I besought the Lord, that it might depart from me.
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9 | 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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10 | 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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11 | 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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12 | 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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13 | 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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14 | 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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15 | 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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16 | But be it so: I did not burthen you: but being crafty, I caught you by guile.
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17 | Did I overreach you by any of them whom I sent to you?
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18 | 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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19 | 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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20 | 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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21 | 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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