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| 12:1 |
 t is not expedient for me, doubtlesse, to glory, I wil come to visions and reuelations of the Lord. |
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| 12:2 |
I knewe a man in Christ aboue foureteene yeeres agoe, whether in the body, I cannot tell, or whether out of the body, I cannot tell, God knoweth: such a one, caught vp to the third heauen. |
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| 12:3 |
And I knew such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell, God knoweth.) |
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| 12:4 |
How that he was caught vp into Paradise, and heard vnspeakeable wordes, which it is not lawfull for a man to vtter. |
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| 12:5 |
Of such a one will I glory, yet of my selfe I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. |
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| 12:6 |
For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a foole: for I will say the trueth. But now I forbeare, lest any man should thinke of me aboue that which hee seeth me to bee, or that hee heareth of me: |
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| 12:7 |
And least I should bee exalted aboue measure through the abundance of the reuelations, there was giuen to me a thorne in the flesh, the messenger of Sathan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted aboue measure. |
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| 12:8 |
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from mee. |
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| 12:9 |
And he said vnto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weaknes. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest vpon me. |
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| 12:10 |
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christes sake: for when I am weake, then am I strong. |
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| 12:11 |
I am become a foole in glorying, ye haue compelled me. For I ought to haue beene commended of you: for in nothing am I behinde the very chiefest Apostles, though I be nothing. |
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| 12:12 |
Truely the signes of an Apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signes and wonders, and mightie deeds. |
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| 12:13 |
For what is it wherein yee were inferior to other Churches, except it bee that I my selfe was not burthensome to you? forgiue me this wrong. |
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| 12:14 |
Behold, the third time I am readie to come to you, and I will not bee burthensome to you; for I seeke not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay vp for the parents, but the parents for the children. |
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| 12:15 |
And I wil very gladly spend and bee spent for you, though the more abundantly I loue you, the lesse I bee loued. |
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| 12:16 |
But be it so: I did not burthen you: neuerthelesse beeing craftie, I caught you with guile. |
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| 12:17 |
Did I make a gaine of you by any of them, whom I sent vnto you? |
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| 12:18 |
I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother: did Titus make a gaine of you? Walked wee not in the same spirit? walked wee not in the same steps? |
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| 12:19 |
Againe, thinke you that we excuse our selues vnto you? wee speake before God in Christ: but wee doe all things, dearely beloued, for your edifying. |
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| 12:20 |
For I feare lest when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall bee found vnto you such as ye would not, lest there bee debates, enuyings, wraths, strifes, backebitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults, |
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| 12:21 |
And least when I come againe, my God will humble mee among you, and that I shall bewaile many which haue sinned alreadie, and haue not repented of the vncleannesse, and fornication, and lasciuiousnesse which they haue committed. |
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