MacWorld 1996 July/Macworld (1996-07).dmg/Shareware World/Communication/WarpSearch CGI 1.0/The_Bible/2corinthians.txt

Text File | 1996-04-13 | 33.2 KB | 660 lines | [TEXT/R*ch]

The next file is: 2CORINTHIANS
1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and
 Timothy [our] brother, to the church of God which is at
 Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:
1:2 Grace [be] to you and peace from God our Father, and [from]
 the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:3 Blessed [be] God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
 the Father of mercies, and the God of all consolation.
1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be
 able to comfort them who are in any trouble by the consolation
 with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our
 consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
1:6 And whether we are afflicted, [it is] for your consolation
 and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same
 sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we are comforted,
 [it is] for your consolation and salvation.
1:7 And our hope of you [is] steadfast, knowing, that as ye are
 partakers of the sufferings, so [shall ye be] also of the
 consolation.
1:8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble
 which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure,
 above strength, so that we despaired even of life:
1:9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we
 should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the dead:
1:10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver:
 in whom we trust that he will yet deliver [us]:
1:11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the
 gift [bestowed] upon us by the means of many persons, thanks
 may be given by many on our behalf.
1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience,
 that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly
 wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our manner of life
 in the world, and more abundantly toward you.
1:13 For we write no other things to you, than what ye read or
 acknowledge; and I trust ye will acknowledge even to the end;
1:14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your
 rejoicing, even as ye also [are] ours in the day of the Lord
 Jesus.
1:15 And in this confidence I purposed to come to you before,
 that ye might have a second benefit;
1:16 And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again from
 Macedonia to you, and by you to be brought on my way towards
 Judea.
1:17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use levity? or the
 things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh,
 that with me there should be yea, yea, and nay, nay?
1:18 But [as] God [is] true, our word towards you was not yea
 and nay.
1:19 For 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 was yea.
1:20 For all the promises of God in him [are] yea, and in him
 Amen, to the glory of God by us.
1:21 Now he who establisheth us with you in Christ, and hath
 anointed us, [is] God;
1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the
 spirit in our hearts.
1:23 Moreover, I call God for a witness upon my soul, that to
 spare you I have not as yet come to Corinth.
1:24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are
 helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
2:1 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come
 again to you in heaviness.
2:2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad,
 but the same who is made sorry by me?
2:3 And I wrote this same to you, lest, coming I should have
 sorrow from them by whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence
 in you all, that my joy is [the joy] of you all.
2:4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to
 you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye
 might know the love which I have more abundantly to you.
2:5 But if any hath caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in
 part: that I may not overcharge you all.
2:6 Sufficient to such a man [is] this punishment, which [was
 inflicted] by many.
2:7 So that on the other hand, ye [ought] rather to forgive
 [him], and comfort [him], lest perhaps such one should be
 swallowed up with excessive sorrow.
2:8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm [your] love
 towards him.
2:9 For to this end also I wrote, that I might know the proof of
 you, whether ye are obedient in all things.
2:10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I [forgive] also: for if I
 forgave any thing, to whom I forgave [it], for your sakes [I
 forgave it], in the person of Christ;
2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not
 ignorant of his devices.
2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to [preach] the gospel of
 Christ, and a door was opened to me by the Lord,
2:13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my
 brother; but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into
 Macedonia.
2:14 Now thanks [be] to God, who always causeth us to triumph in
 Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in
 every place.
2:15 For we are to God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are
 saved, and in them that perish:
2:16 To the one [we are] the savor of death to death; and to the
 other the savor of life to life. And who [is] sufficient for
 these things?
2:17 For we are not as many, who corrupt the word of God: but as
 from sincerity, but as from God, in the sight of God we speak
 in Christ.
3:1 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some
 [others], epistles of commendation to you, or [letters] of
 commendation from you.
3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by
 all men:
3:3 [Forasmuch as ye are] manifestly declared to be the epistle
 of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the
 Spirit of the living God; not on tables of stone, but on
 fleshly tables of the heart.
3:4 And such trust we have through Christ toward God.
3:5 Not that we are sufficient by ourselves to think any thing
 as from ourselves; but our sufficiency [is] from God;
3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament;
 not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth,
 but the spirit giveth life.
3:7 But if the ministration of death, written [and] engraven on
 stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not
 steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his
 countenance; which [glory] was to be done away;
3:8 How shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather
 glorious?
3:9 For if the ministration of condemnation [was] glory, much
 more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
3:10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this
 respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
3:11 For if that which was done away [was] glorious, much more
 that which remaineth [is] glorious.
3:12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness
 of speech:
3:13 And not as Moses, [who] put a vail over his face, that the
 children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of
 that which is abolished:
3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day the same
 vail remaineth untaken away in the reading of the old
 testament; which [vail] is done away in Christ.
3:15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon
 their heart.
3:16 Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail
 shall be taken away.
3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the
 Lord [is], there [is] liberty.
3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the
 glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory
 to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord.
4:1 Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, as we have received
 mercy, we faint not;
4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty; not
 walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God
 deceitfully; but, by manifestation of the truth, commending
 ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
4:3 But if our gospel is hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them
 who believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of
 Christ, who is the image of God, should shine to them.
4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and
 ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness,
 hath shined into our hearts, to [give] the light of the
 knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the
 excellence of the power may be of God, and not from us.
4:8 [We are] troubled on every side, yet not distressed; [we
 are] perplexed, but not in despair;
4:9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord
 Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our
 body.
4:11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus'
 sake, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our
 mortal flesh.
4:12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is
 written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also
 believe, and therefore speak;
4:14 Knowing, that he who raised the Lord Jesus, will raise us
 also by Jesus, and will present [us] with you.
4:15 For all things [are] for your sakes, that the abundant
 grace may, through the thanksgiving of many, redound to the
 glory of God.
4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man is
 wasted, yet the inward [man] is renewed day by day.
4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,
 worketh out for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of
 glory;
4:18 While 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.
5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle
 were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made
 with hands, eternal in the heavens.
5:2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with
 our house which is from heaven:
5:3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
5:4 For we that are in [this] tabernacle do groan, being
 burdened: not because we would be unclothed, but clothed, that
 mortality might be swallowed up in life.
5:5 Now he that hath wrought us for this same thing [is] God,
 who also hath given to us the earnest of the Spirit.
5:6 Therefore [we are] always confident, knowing that, while we
 are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
5:8 We are confident, [I say], and willing rather to be absent
 from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
5:9 Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may
 be accepted by him.
5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ;
 that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body,
 according to what he hath done, whether good or bad.
5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;
 but we are made manifest to God; and I trust also are made
 manifest in your consciences.
5:12 For we commend not ourselves again to you, but give you
 occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to
 [answer] them who glory in appearance, and not in heart.
5:13 For whether we are beside ourselves, [it is] to God: or
 whether we are sober, [it is] for your cause.
5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus
 judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
5:15 And [that] he died for all, that they who live should not
 henceforth live to themselves, but to him who died for them,
 and rose again.
5:16 Wherefore henceforth we know no man according to the flesh:
 though indeed we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet
 now henceforth we know [him] no more.
5:17 Therefore, if any man [is] in Christ, [he is] a new
 creature: old things have passed away; behold, all things have
 become new.
5:18 And all things [are] from God, who hath reconciled us to
 himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of
 reconciliation;
5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to
 himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and hath
 committed to us the word of reconciliation.
5:20 Now then we are embassadors for Christ, as though God did
 beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ's stead, be ye
 reconciled to God.
5:21 For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin;
 that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
6:1 We then, [as] co-workers [with him], beseech [you] also that
 ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in
 the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now [is] the
 accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation.)
6:3 Giving no offense in any thing, that the ministry be not
 blamed:
6:4 But in all [things] approving ourselves as the ministers of
 God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in
 distresses,
6:5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in
 watchings, in fastings;
6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness,
 by the Holy Spirit, by love unfeigned,
6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of
 righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
6:8 By honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as
 deceivers, and [yet] true;
6:9 As unknown, and [yet] well known; as dying, and behold, we
 live; as chastened, and not killed;
6:10 As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making
 many rich; as having nothing, and [yet] possessing all things.
6:11 O [ye] Corinthians, our mouth is open to you, our heart is
 enlarged.
6:12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your
 own bowels.
6:13 Now for a recompense in the same (I speak as to [my]
 children,) be ye also enlarged.
6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for
 what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and
 what communion hath light with darkness?
6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath
 he that believeth with an infidel?
6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for
 ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will
 dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and
 they shall be my people.
6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate,
 saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will
 receive you;
6:18 And [I] will be a Father to you, and ye shall be my sons
 and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us
 cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,
 perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
7:2 Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no
 man, we have defrauded no man.
7:3 I speak not [this] to condemn [you]: for I have said before,
 that ye are in our hearts to die and live with [you].
7:4 Great [is] my boldness of speech towards you, great [is] my
 glorying concerning you: I am filled with comfort, I am
 exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
7:5 For, when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest,
 but we were troubled on every side; without [were] fightings,
 within [were] fears.
7:6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down,
 comforted us by the coming of Titus;
7:7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation with
 which he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest
 desire, your mourning, your fervent mind towards me; so that I
 rejoiced the more.
7:8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent,
 though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath
 made you sorry, though [it was] but for a season.
7:9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye
 sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly
 manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
7:10 For godly sorrow worketh penitence to salvation not to be
 repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
7:11 For behold this very thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly
 sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, [what] clearing
 of yourselves, yea, [what] indignation, yea, [what] fear, yea,
 [what] vehement desire, yea, [what] zeal, yea, [what] avenging!
 In all [things] ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this
 matter.
7:12 Wherefore, though I wrote to you, [I did it] not for his
 cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered
 wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might
 appear to you.
7:13 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: and
 exceedingly the more we rejoiced for the joy of Titus, because
 his spirit was refreshed by you all.
7:14 For if I have boasted any thing to him concerning you, I am
 not ashamed; but as we spoke all things to you in truth, even
 so our boasting, which [I made] before Titus, is found a truth.
7:15 And his tender affection is more abundant towards you,
 whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear
 and trembling ye received him.
7:16 I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all
 [things].
8:1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God
 bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
8:2 That in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their
 joy, and their deep poverty, abounded to the riches of their
 liberality.
8:3 For to [their] power, I bear testimony, and even beyond
 [their] power, [they were] willing of themselves;
8:4 Praying us with much entreaty, that we would receive the
 gift, and [take upon us] the fellowship of the ministering to
 the saints.
8:5 And [this they did], not as we hoped, but first gave their
 own selves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God:
8:6 So that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would
 also finish in you the same grace also.
8:7 Therefore, as ye abound in every [thing], [in] faith and
 utterance, and knowledge, and [in] all diligence, and [in] your
 love to us, [see] that ye abound in this grace also.
8:8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the
 forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
8:9 For 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 be rich.
8:10 And in this I give [my] advice: for this is expedient for
 you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be
 forward a year ago.
8:11 Now therefore finish the doing [of it]; that as [there was]
 a readiness to will, so [there may be] a performance also out
 of that which ye have.
8:12 For if there is first a willing mind, [it is] accepted
 according to what a man hath, [and] not according to what he
 hath not.
8:13 For [I mean] not that other men should be eased, and you
 burdened:
8:14 But by an equality, [that] now at this time your abundance
 [may be a supply] for their want, that their abundance also may
 be [a supply] for your want: that there may be equality:
8:15 As it is written, He that [had gathered] much had nothing
 over; and he that [had gathered] little had no want.
8:16 But thanks [be] to God, who put the same earnest care into
 the heart of Titus for you.
8:17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more
 forward, of his own accord he went to you.
8:18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise [is] in
 the gospel throughout all the churches;
8:19 And not [that] only, but who was also chosen by the
 churches to travel with us with this grace, which is
 administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and
 [declaration of] your ready mind:
8:20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this
 abundance which is administered by us:
8:21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the
 Lord, but also in the sight of men.
8:22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have often
 proved [to be] diligent in many things, but now much more
 diligent, upon the great confidence which [I have] in you.
8:23 If [any inquire] concerning Titus, [he is] my partner and
 fellow-helper concerning you: or our brethren [be inquired of],
 [they are] the messengers of the churches, [and] the glory of
 Christ.
8:24 Wherefore show ye to them, and before the churches, the
 proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
9:1 For as concerning the ministering to the saints, it is
 superfluous for me to write to you:
9:2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast
 of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago;
 and your zeal hath incited very many.
9:3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you
 should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be
 ready:
9:4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you
 unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this
 same confident boasting.
9:5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren,
 that they would go before to you, and make up before hand your
 bounty, of which ye had notice before, that the same might be
 ready, as [a matter of] bounty, and not [of] covetousness.
9:6 But this [I say], He who soweth sparingly, shall reap also
 sparingly; and he who soweth bountifully, shall reap also
 bountifully.
9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let
 him give]; not grudgingly, or by constraint: for God loveth a
 cheerful giver.
9:8 And God [is] able to make all grace abound towards you; that
 ye always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to
 every good work:
9:9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed; he hath given to the
 poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
9:10 Now may he that ministereth seed to the sower, both
 minister bread for [your] food, and multiply your seed sown,
 and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
9:11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which
 causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
9:12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth
 the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many
 thanksgivings to God;
9:13 While by the experiment of this ministration they glorify
 God for your professed subjection to the gospel of Christ, and
 for [your] liberal distribution to them, and to all [men];
9:14 And by their prayer for you, who long after you, for the
 exceeding grace of God in you.
9:15 Thanks [be] to God for his unspeakable gift.
10:1 Now I Paul myself beseech you, by the meekness and
 gentleness of Christ, who in presence [am] base among you, but
 being absent am bold towards you:
10:2 But I beseech [you], that I may not be bold when I am
 present with that confidence, with which I think to be bold
 against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the
 flesh.
10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to
 the flesh:
10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but
 mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that
 exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into
 captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
10:6 And having in a readiness to avenge all disobedience, when
 your obedience is fulfilled.
10:7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any
 man trusteth to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself
 think this again, that, as he [is] Christ's, even so [are] we
 Christ's.
10:8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority,
 which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your
 destruction, I should not be ashamed:
10:9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
10:10 For [his] letters (say they) [are] weighty and powerful;
 but [his] bodily presence [is] weak, and [his] speech
 contemptible.
10:11 Let such one think this, that such as we are in word by
 letters when we are absent, such [will we be] also in deed when
 we are present.
10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare
 ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring
 themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among
 themselves, are not wise.
10:13 But we will not boast of things without [our] measure, but
 according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed
 to us, a measure to reach even to you.
10:14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond [our measure], as
 though we reached not to you; for we are come as far as to you
 also in [preaching] the gospel of Christ:
10:15 Not boasting of things without [our] measure, [that is],
 of other men's labors; but having hope, when your faith is
 increased, that we shall be enlarged by you, according to our
 rule abundantly,
10:16 To preach the gospel in the [regions] beyond you, [and]
 not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our
 hand.
10:17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
10:18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom
 the Lord commendeth.
11:1 I earnestly wish ye could bear with me a little in [my]
 folly: and indeed bear with me.
11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have
 espoused you to one husband, that I may present [you as] a
 chaste virgin to Christ.
11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve
 through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from
 the simplicity that is in Christ.
11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have
 not preached, or [if] ye receive another spirit, which ye have
 not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye
 might well bear with [him].
11:5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very greatest
 apostles.
11:6 But though [I am] rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but
 we have been thoroughly made manifest among you in all things.
11:7 Have I committed an offense in abasing myself that ye might
 be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God
 without reward?
11:8 I robbed other churches, taking wages [of them], to do you
 service.
11:9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was
 chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the
 brethren who came from Macedonia supplied: and in all [things]
 I have kept myself from being burdensome to you, and [so] will
 I keep [myself].
11:10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of
 this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
11:11 Why? because I love you not? God knoweth.
11:12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion
 from them who desire occasion; that in what they glory, they
 may be found even as we.
11:13 For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers,
 transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
11:14 And no wonder; for Satan himself is transformed into an
 angel of light.
11:15 Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also are
 transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall
 be according to their works.
11:16 I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet
 as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.
11:17 That which I speak, I speak [it] not according to the
 Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
11:18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
11:19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye [yourselves] are
 wise.
11:20 For ye suffer, if a man bringeth you into bondage, if a
 man devoureth [you], if a man taketh [from you], if a man
 exalteth himself, if a man smiteth you on the face.
11:21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been
 weak. But in whatever respect any is bold, (I speak foolishly)
 I am bold also.
11:22 Are they Hebrews? so [am] I. Are they Israelites? so [am]
 I. Are they the offspring of Abraham? so [am] I.
11:23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I [am]
 more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in
 prisons more frequent, in deaths often.
11:24 From the Jews five times I received forty [stripes] save
 one.
11:25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once I was stoned, thrice I
 suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
11:26 [In] journeyings often, [in] perils of waters, [in] perils
 of robbers, [in] perils by [my own] countrymen, [in] perils by
 the heathen, [in] perils in the city, [in] perils in the
 wilderness, [in] perils in the sea, [in] perils among false
 brethren;
11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in
 hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
11:28 Besides those things that are without, that which cometh
 upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
11:29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is made to fall into
 sin, and I burn not?
11:30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which
 concern my infirmities.
11:31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is
 blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
11:32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the
 city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend
 me:
11:33 And through a window in a basket I was let down by the
 wall, and escaped his hands.
12:1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come
 to visions and revelations of the Lord.
12:2 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.
12:3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the
 body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
12:4 That he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable
 words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
12:5 Of such one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory,
 but in my infirmities.
12:6 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.
12:7 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.
12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might
 depart from me.
12:9 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.
12:10 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.
12:11 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.
12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in
 all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
12:13 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.
12:14 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.
12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though
 the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.
12:16 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being
 crafty, I caught you with guile.
12:17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent to
 you?
12:18 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?
12:19 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.
12:20 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:
12:21 [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.
13:1 This [is] the third [time] I am coming to you: By the mouth
 of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
13:2 I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present,
 the second time; and being absent now I write to them who
 heretofore have sinned, and to all others, that, if I come
 again, I will not spare;
13:3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who toward
 you is not weak, but is mighty in you.
13:4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth
 by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall
 live with him by the power of God towards you.
13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your
 own selves. Know ye not your own selves, that Jesus Christ is
 in you, except ye are reprobates?
13:6 But I trust that ye will know that we are not reprobates.
13:7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should
 appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest,
 though we should be as reprobates.
13:8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
13:9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and
 this also we wish, [even] your perfection.
13:10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being
 present I should use sharpness, according to the power which
 the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.
13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good
 comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and
 peace will be with you.
13:12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
13:13 All the saints salute you.
13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
 and the communion of the Holy Spirit, [be] with you all. Amen.