English Textus Receptus Bible AKJV
2 Corinthians
The
Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to
the Corinthians
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2Cor.1
[1]
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our
brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the
saints which are in all Achaia:
[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.
2Cor.2
[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.
2Cor.3
[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.
2Cor.4
[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.
2Cor.5
[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.
2Cor.6
[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.
2Cor.7
[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.
2Cor.8
[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.
2Cor.9
[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.
2Cor.10
[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.
2Cor.11
[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.
2Cor.12
[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.
2Cor.13
[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.