[1] Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of
God, and Timothy our brother, unto the
[2] Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord
Jesus Christ.
[3] Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father
of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
[4] Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to
comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves
are comforted of God.
[5] For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation
also aboundeth by Christ.
[6] And whether we be 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 be comforted, it is for your consolation and
salvation.
[7] And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers
of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
[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,
insomuch that we despaired even of life:
[9] But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not
trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
[10] Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom
we trust that he will yet deliver us;
[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.
[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 conversation in the world, and more abundantly to
you-ward.
[13] For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or
acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;
[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.
[15] And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that
ye might have a second benefit;
[16] And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of
Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea.
[17] When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the
things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there
should be yea yea, and nay nay?
[18] But as God is true, our word toward you was 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 Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
[20] For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto
the glory of God by us.
[21] Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed
us, is God;
[22] Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our
hearts.
[23] Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I
came not as yet unto Corinth.
[24] Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of
your joy: for by faith ye stand.
[1] But I determined this with myself, that I would
not come again to you in heaviness.
[2] For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the
same which is made sorry by me?
[3] And I wrote this same unto you, 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 grieved, but that ye might know the love
which I have more abundantly unto you.
[5] But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that
I may not overcharge you all.
[6] Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of
many.
[7] So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort
him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
[8] Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.
[9] For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of
you, whether ye be obedient in all things.
[10] To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing,
to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;
[11] Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant
of his devices.
[12] Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a
door was opened unto me of the Lord,
[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.
[14] Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in
Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
[15] For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are
saved, and in them that perish:
[16] To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other
the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
[17] For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of
sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
[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?
[2] Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
[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 in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
[4] And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
[5] Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of
ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
[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.
[7] But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones,
was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the
face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done
away:
[8] How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
[9] For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the
ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
[10] For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect,
by reason of the glory that excelleth.
[11] For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which
remaineth is glorious.
[12] Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of
speech:
[13] And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children
of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
[14] But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same
vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away
in Christ.
[15] But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their
heart.
[16] Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be
taken away.
[17] Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is,
there is liberty.
[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.
[1] Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we
have received mercy, we faint not;
[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.
[3] But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
[4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which
believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image
of God, should shine unto them.
[5] For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and
ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
[6] For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath
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 excellency of
the power may be of God, and not of us.
[8] We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed,
but not in despair;
[9] Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
[10] Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that
the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
[11] For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake,
that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
[12] So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
[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;
[14] Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us
also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
[15] For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might
through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
[16] For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish,
yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
[17] For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us
a far more exceeding and 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.
[1] For we know that if our earthly house of this
tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with
hands, eternal in the heavens.
[2] For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our
house which is from heaven:
[3] If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
[4] For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for
that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed
up of life.
[5] Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also
hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
[6] Therefore we are always confident, 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 confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the
body, and to be present with the Lord.
[9] Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be
accepted of him.
[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 that he hath done,
whether it be good or bad.
[11] Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we
are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
[12] For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion
to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in
appearance, and not in heart.
[13] For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be
sober, it is for your cause.
[14] For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that
if one died for all, then were all dead:
[15] And that he died for all, that they which live should not
henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose
again.
[16] Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we
have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
[17] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things
are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
[18] And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by
Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
[19] To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself,
not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of
reconciliation.
[20] Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech
you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
[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.
[1] We then, as workers together with him, beseech
you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
[2] (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day
of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold,
now is the day of salvation.)
[3] Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
[4] But in all things approving ourselves as the 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] By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the
Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
[7] By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of
righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
[8] By honour 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] O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is
enlarged.
[12] Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own
bowels.
[13] Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be
ye also enlarged.
[14] Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what
fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath
light with darkness?
[15] And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that
believeth with an infidel?
[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.
[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,
[18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and
daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
[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.
[2] Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we
have defrauded no man.
[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.
[4] Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of
you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
[5] For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we
were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
[6] Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down,
comforted us by the coming of Titus;
[7] And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was
comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your
fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
[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
were but for a season.
[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.
[10] For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented
of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
[11] For behold this selfsame 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 revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear
in this matter.
[12] Wherefore, though I wrote unto 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 unto you.
[13] Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly
the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you
all.
[14] For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed;
but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made
before Titus, is found a truth.
[15] And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he
remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received
him.
[16] I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.
[1] Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace
of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
[2] How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy
and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
[3] For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they
were willing of themselves;
[4] Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and
take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
[5] And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves
to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
[6] Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would
also finish in you the same grace also.
[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] I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of
others, and to prove the sincerity 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 be
rich.
[10] And herein 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.
[11] Now therefore perform 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.
[12] For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to
that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
[13] For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
[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:
[15] As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and
he that had gathered little had no lack.
[16] But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the
heart of Titus for you.
[17] For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of
his own accord he went unto you.
[18] And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the
gospel throughout all the churches;
[19] And not that only, but who was also chosen of 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:
[20] Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which
is administered by us:
[21] Providing for honest things, 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 oftentimes
proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence
which I have in you.
[23] Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper
concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the
churches, and the glory of Christ.
[24] Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of
your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
[1] For as touching the ministering to the saints, it
is superfluous for me to write to you:
[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
provoked very many.
[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:
[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.
[5] Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they
would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had
notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as
of covetousness.
[6] But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly;
and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
[7] Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give;
not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
[8] And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always
having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
[9] (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the
poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
[10] Now 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;)
[11] Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth
through us thanksgiving to God.
[12] For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want
of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
[13] Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for
your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal
distribution unto them, and unto all men;
[14] And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding
grace of God in you.
[15] Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
[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 toward you:
[2] But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with
that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us
as if we walked according to the flesh.
[3] For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
[4] (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through
God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
[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;
[6] And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your
obedience is fulfilled.
[7] Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust
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.
[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:
[9] That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
[10] For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily
presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
[11] Let such an 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.
[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.
[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 unto you.
[14] For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we
reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the
gospel of Christ:
[15] Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's
labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be
enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
[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.
[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.
[1] Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my
folly: and indeed bear with me.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[5] For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
[6] But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have
been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
[7] Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be
exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
[8] I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
[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 which came from Macedonia
supplied: and in all things I have 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
boasting 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 occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as
we.
[13] For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming
themselves into the apostles of Christ.
[14] And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of
light.
[15] Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed
as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
[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.
[17] That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were
foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
[18] Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
[19] For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.
[20] For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour
you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the
face.
[21] I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit
whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) 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 a fool) I am more; in
labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, 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 I have been in the deep;
[26] In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in
perils by mine 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;
[27] In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and
thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
[28] Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me
daily, the care of all the churches.
[29] Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
[30] If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern
mine infirmities.
[31] The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for
evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
[32] In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the
Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:
[33] And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and
escaped his hands.
[1] 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 the 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
mine 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.
[1] This is the third time I am coming to you. In the
mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
[2] I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the
second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned,
and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:
[3] Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is
not weak, but is mighty in you.
[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 toward you.
[5] Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own
selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye
be reprobates?
[6] But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
[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 be as
reprobates.
[8] For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
[9] For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also
we wish, even your perfection.
[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.
[11] Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of
one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
[12] Greet one another with an 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. Amen.