II CORINTHIANS CHAPTER XII.

IT is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I 
will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 
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 
an one caught up to the third heaven. 
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in body, 
or out of the body, I cannot tell: 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 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I 
will not glory, but in my infirmities.
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 that he heareth of me. 
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. 
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that 
it might depart from me. 
9 And he said unto 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. 
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. 
11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled 
me: for I ought to have been commended of 
you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest
apostles, though I be nothing. 
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought 
among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, 
and mighty deeds. 
13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to 
other churches, except it be that I myself was not
burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong. 
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
15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent 
for you; though the more abundantly I love you, 
the less I be loved. 
16 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless,
being crafty, I caught you with guile. 
17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them 
whom I sent unto you?
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?
19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves 
unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we
do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find 
you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto 
you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, 
envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, 
swellings, tumults: 
21 And lest, when I come again, my God will
humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many
which have sinned already, and have not repented 
of the uncleanness, and fornication, and lasciviousness, 
which they have committed.