I<\/span>t is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.<\/span><\/p>\n 2<\/sup>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.<\/span> <\/p>\n 3<\/sup>And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)<\/span> <\/p>\n 4<\/sup>How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.<\/span> <\/p>\n 5<\/sup>Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.<\/span> <\/p>\n 6<\/sup>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.<\/span> <\/p>\n 7<\/sup>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.<\/span> <\/p>\n 8<\/sup>For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.<\/span> <\/p>\n 9<\/sup>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.<\/span> <\/p>\n 10<\/sup>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.<\/span> <\/p>\n 11<\/sup>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.<\/span> <\/p>\n 12<\/sup>Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.<\/span> <\/p>\n 13<\/sup>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.<\/span> <\/p>\n 14<\/sup>Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not your's but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.<\/span> <\/p>\n 15<\/sup>And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.<\/span> <\/p>\n 16<\/sup>But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.<\/span> <\/p>\n 17<\/sup>Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?<\/span> <\/p>\n 18<\/sup>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?<\/span> <\/p>\n 19<\/sup>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.<\/span> <\/p>\n 20<\/sup>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:<\/span> <\/p>\n 21<\/sup>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.<\/span> <\/p>\n