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2ND
CORINTHIANS
CHAPTER
1
1
¶ Paul, 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 which
are in the whole of Achaia:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 ¶ Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
mercies and God of all comfort;
4 who 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.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound unto us, even so our comfort also
aboundeth through Christ.
6 But whether we be afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or whether
we be comforted, it is for your comfort, which worketh in the patient enduring
of the same sufferings which we also suffer:
7 ¶ and our hope for you is stedfast; knowing that, as ye are partakers of the
sufferings, so also are ye of the comfort.
8 For 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:
9 yea, we ourselves have had the answer of death within ourselves, that we
should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
10 who 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;
11 ye 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.
12 ¶ For our glorying 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.
13 For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or even
acknowledge, and I hope ye will acknowledge unto the end:
14 as 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.
15 ¶ And in this confidence I was minded to come before unto you, that ye might
have a second benefit;
16 and 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.
17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I shew 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?
18 But as God is faithful, our word toward you is not yea and nay.
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 is yea.
20 For 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.
21 Now he that stablisheth us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God;
22 who also sealed us, and gave [us] the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
23 But I call God for a witness upon my soul, that to spare you I forbare to
come unto Corinth.
24 Not that we have lordship over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for
by faith ye stand.
CHAPTER
2
1 ¶ But I determined this for myself, that I would not come again to you with
sorrow.
2 For if I make you sorry, who then is he that maketh me glad, but he that is
made sorry by me?
3 And 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.
4 For 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 which I
have more abundantly unto you.
5 ¶ But if any hath caused sorrow, he hath caused sorrow, not to me, but in
part (that I press not too heavily) to you all.
6 Sufficient to such a one is this punishment which was [inflicted] by the many;
7 so 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.
8 Wherefore I beseech you to confirm [your] love toward him.
9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether
ye are obedient in all things.
10 But 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 person of Christ;
11 that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan: for we are not ignorant of
his devices.
12 ¶ Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ, and when a door was
opened unto me in the Lord,
13 I had no relief for my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but
taking my leave of them, I went forth into Macedonia.
14 But thanks be unto God, which always leadeth us in triumph in Christ, and
maketh manifest through us the savour of his knowledge in every place.
15 For we are a sweet savour of Christ unto God, in them that are being saved,
and in them that are perishing;
16 to the one a savour from death unto death; to the other a savour from life
unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
17 For 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.
CHAPTER
3
1 ¶ Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? or need we, as do some,
epistles of commendation to you or from you?
2 Ye are our epistle, written in our hearts, known and read of all men;
3 being 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.
4 And such confidence have we through Christ to God–ward:
5 not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from
ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God;
6 ¶ who 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.
7 But 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:
8 how shall not rather the ministration of the spirit be with glory?
9 For if the ministration of condemnation is glory, much rather doth the
ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
10 For verily that which hath been made glorious hath not been made glorious in
this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasseth.
11 For if that which passeth away [was] with glory, much more that which
remaineth [is] in glory.
12 ¶ Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech,
13 and [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:
14 but their minds were hardened: for until this very day at the reading of the
old covenant the same veil remaineth unlifted; which [veil] is done away in
Christ.
15 But unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart.
16 But whensoever it shall turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, [there] is
liberty.
18 But we all, with unveiled face reflecting as a mirror the glory of the Lord,
are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord
the Spirit.
CHAPTER
4
1 ¶ Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint
not:
2 but 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.
3 But and if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that are perishing:
4 in 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].
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your
servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 Seeing 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.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of
the power may be of God, and not from ourselves;
8 ¶ [we are] pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto
despair;
9 pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed;
10 always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of
Jesus may be manifested in our body.
11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the
life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
13 But 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;
14 knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also with
Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15 For 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.
16 Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our
inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and
more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;
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.
CHAPTER
5
1 ¶ For 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.
2 For verily in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our habitation
which is from heaven:
3 if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
4 For 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 Now he that wrought us for this very thing is God, who gave unto us the
earnest of the Spirit.
6 Being therefore always of good courage, and knowing that, whilst we are at
home in the body, we are absent from the Lord
7 (for we walk by faith, not by sight);
8 we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the
body, and to be at home with the Lord.
9 Wherefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be
well–pleasing unto him.
10 For 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.
11 Knowing 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.
12 ¶ We 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.
13 For whether we are beside ourselves, it is unto God; or whether we are of
sober mind, it is unto you.
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that one died
for all, therefore all died;
15 and he died for all, that they which live should no longer live unto
themselves, but unto him who for their sakes died and rose again.
16 ¶ Wherefore 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.
17 Wherefore if any man is in Christ, [he is] a new creature: the old things are
passed away; behold, they are become new.
18 But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and
gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 to 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.
20 We 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.
21 Him who knew no sin he made [to be] sin on our behalf; that we might become
the righteousness of God in him.
CHAPTER
6
1 ¶ And working together [with him] we entreat also that ye receive not the
grace of God in vain
2 (for he saith, At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee, And in a day of
salvation did I succour thee: behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is
the day of salvation):
3 giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not
blamed;
4 but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience,
in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in
fastings;
6 in pureness, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in kindness, in the Holy Ghost,
in love unfeigned,
7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armour of righteousness on
the right hand and on the left,
8 by glory and dishonour, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and
[yet] true;
9 as unknown, and [yet] well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened,
and not killed;
10 as sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having
nothing, and [yet] possessing all things.
11 ¶ Our mouth is open unto you, O Corinthians, our heart is enlarged.
12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own affections.
13 Now for a recompense in like kind (I speak as unto [my] children), be ye also
enlarged.
14 Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have
righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what portion hath a believer
with an unbeliever?
16 And 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.
17 Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord,
And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you,
18 And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith
the Lord Almighty.
CHAPTER
7
1 ¶ Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all
defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Open your hearts to us: we wronged no man, we corrupted no man, we took
advantage of no man.
3 I say it not to condemn [you]: for I have said before, that ye are in our
hearts to die together and live together.
4 Great 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.
5 ¶ For 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.
6 Nevertheless he that comforteth the lowly, [even] God, comforted us by the
coming of Titus;
7 and 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.
8 For though I made you sorry with my epistle, I do not regret it, though I did
regret; for I see that that epistle made you sorry, though but for a season.
9 Now I 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.
10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, [a repentance] which
bringeth no regret: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
11 For 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.
12 ¶ So 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.
13 Therefore 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.
14 For 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.
15 And his inward affection is more abundantly toward you, whilst he remembereth
the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.
16 I rejoice that in everything I am of good courage concerning you.
CHAPTER
8
1 ¶ Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been
given in the churches of Macedonia;
2 how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep
poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
3 For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power,
[they gave] of their own accord,
4 beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in
the ministering to the saints:
5 and [this], not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the
Lord, and to us by the will of God.
6 Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he
would also complete in you this grace also.
7 ¶ But 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 I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of
others the sincerity also of your love.
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 become rich.
10 And 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.
11 But now complete the doing also; that as [there was] the readiness to will,
so [there may be] the completion also out of your ability.
12 For if the readiness is there, [it is] acceptable according as [a man] hath,
not according as [he] hath not.
13 For [I say] not [this], that others may be eased, [and] ye distressed:
14 but 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:
15 as it is written, He that [gathered] much had nothing over; and he that
[gathered] little had no lack.
16 ¶ But thanks be to God, which putteth the same earnest care for you into the
heart of Titus.
17 For indeed he accepted our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he
went forth unto you of his own accord.
18 And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel [is
spread] through all the churches;
19 and 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 shew] our readiness:
20 Avoiding this, that any man should blame us in [the matter of] this bounty
which is ministered by us:
21 for we take thought for things honourable, not only in the sight of the Lord,
but also in the sight of men.
22 And 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.
23 Whether [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.
24 Shew ye therefore unto them in the face of the churches the proof of your
love, and of our glorying on your behalf.
CHAPTER
9
1 ¶ For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to
write to you:
2 for 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.
3 But 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:
4 lest 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.
5 I 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.
6 ¶ But this [I say], He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and
he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 [Let] each man [do] according as he hath purposed in his heart; not
grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And 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 as it is written, He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor; His
righteousness abideth for ever.
10 And 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:
11 ye being enriched in everything unto all liberality, which worketh through us
thanksgiving to God.
12 For 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;
13 seeing 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;
14 while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, long after you
by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.
15 Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.
CHAPTER
10
1 ¶ Now 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:
2 yea, I beseech you, that I may not when present shew courage with the
confidence wherewith I count to be bold against some, which count of us as if we
walked according to the flesh.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh
4 (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to
the casting down of strong holds);
5 casting 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;
6 and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience shall
be fulfilled.
7 ¶ Ye 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.
8 For 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:
9 that I may not seem as if I would terrify you by my letters.
10 For, His letters, they say, are weighty and strong; but his bodily presence
is weak, and his speech of no account.
11 Let 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.
12 ¶ For 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.
13 But 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.
14 For 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:
15 not glorying beyond [our] measure, [that is], in other men’s labours; but
having hope that, as your faith groweth, we shall be magnified in you according
to our province unto [further] abundance,
16 so 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.
17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
CHAPTER
11
1 ¶ Would that ye could bear with me in a little foolishness: nay indeed bear
with me.
2 For 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.
3 But 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.
4 For 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].
5 ¶ For I reckon that I am not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
6 But though [I be] rude in speech, yet [am I] not in knowledge; nay, in
everything we have made [it] manifest among all men to you–ward.
7 Or did I commit a sin in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I
preached to you the gospel of God for nought?
8 I robbed other churches, taking wages [of them] that I might minister unto
you;
9 and 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].
10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this glorying in the
regions of Achaia.
11 Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.
12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which
desire an occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves
into apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light.
15 It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as
ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
16 ¶ I say again, Let no man think me foolish; but if [ye do], yet as foolish
receive me, that I also may glory a little.
17 That which I speak, I speak not after the Lord, but as in foolishness, in
this confidence of glorying.
18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
19 For ye bear with the foolish gladly, being wise [yourselves].
20 For 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.
21 I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet
whereinsoever any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.
22 ¶ Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed
of Abraham? so am I.
23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I more; in
labours more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure,
in deaths oft.
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty [stripes] save one.
25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered
shipwreck, a night and a day have I been in the deep;
26 [in] 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;
27 [in] labour and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in
fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
28 Beside those things that are without, there is that which presseth upon me
daily, anxiety for all the churches.
29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is made to stumble, and I burn not?
30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern my weakness.
31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed for evermore, knoweth
that I lie not.
32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the
Damascenes, in order to take me:
33 and through a window was I let down in a basket by the wall, and escaped his
hands.
CHAPTER
12
1 ¶ I must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions
and revelations of the Lord.
2 I 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.
3 And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know
not; God knoweth),
4 how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it
is not lawful for a man to utter.
5 On behalf of such a one will I glory: but on mine own behalf I will not glory,
save in [my] weaknesses.
6 For 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.
7 And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations––wherefore,
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.
8 Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from
me.
9 And 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.
10 Wherefore 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.
11 ¶ I 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 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, by
signs and wonders and mighty works.
13 For 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.
14 Behold, 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.
15 And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more
abundantly, am I loved the less?
16 But be it so, I did not myself burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you
with guile.
17 Did I take advantage of you by any one of them whom I have sent unto you?
18 I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any
advantage of you? walked we not by the same Spirit? [walked we] not in the same
steps?
19 Ye 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.
20 For 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;
21 lest, when I come again, 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.
CHAPTER
13
1 ¶ This is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses or
three shall every word be established.
2 I 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;
3 seeing that ye seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me; who to you–ward
is not weak, but is powerful in you:
4 for 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.
5 Try your own selves, whether ye be 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.
6 But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate.
7 ¶ Now we pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but
that ye may do that which is honourable, though we be as reprobate.
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
9 For we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong: this we also pray for,
even your perfecting.
10 For 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.
11 ¶ Finally, 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.
12 Salute one another with a holy kiss.
13 All the saints salute you.
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of
the Holy Ghost, be with you all.
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