2Co 2 Corinthians, chapter Second Epistle to the Corinthians, chapter 12
To boast, really, is not profitable for me, for I will come to visions and revelations of the LORD. I have known a man in Christ, fourteen years ago—whether in the body I have not known, whether out of the body I have not known, God has known—such a one being snatched up to the third heaven; and I have known such a man—whether in the body, whether out of the body, I have not known, God has known— that he was snatched up to the paradise, and heard unutterable sayings, that it is not possible for man to speak. Of such a one I will boast, and of myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses, for if I may wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will say truth; but I refrain, lest in regard to me anyone may think anything above what he sees me, or hears anything of me; and that by the exceeding greatness of the revelations I might not be exalted too much, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, that he might batter me, that I might not be exalted too much. I called on the LORD three times concerning this thing, that it might depart from me, and He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness”; most gladly, therefore, will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of the Christ may rest on me: for this reason I am well pleased in weaknesses, in damages, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses—for Christ; for whenever I may be weak, then I am powerful; I have become a fool—boasting; yöu compelled me; for I ought to have been commended by yöu, for I was behind the very chiefest apostles in nothing—even if I am nothing. The signs, indeed, of the apostle were worked among yöu in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds, for what is there in which yöu were inferior to the rest of the assemblies, except that I myself was not a burden to yöu? Forgive me this injustice! Behold, a third time I am ready to come to yöu, and I will not be a burden to yöu, for I do not seek yöurs, but yöu, for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children, and I will most gladly spend and be entirely spent for yöur souls, even if, loving yöu more abundantly, I am loved less. And be it [so], I did not burden yöu, but being crafty, I took yöu with guile; anyone of those whom I have sent to yöu—did I take advantage of yöu by him? I begged Titus, and sent with [him] the brother; did Titus take advantage of yöu? Did we not walk in the same Spirit? Did we not [walk] in the same steps? Again, [do] yöu think that we are making defense to yöu? We speak before God in Christ; and all things, beloved, [are] for yöur up-building, for I fear lest, having come, I may not find yöu such as I wish, and I may be found by yöu such as yöu do not wish, lest there be strifes, envyings, wraths, revelries, slanders, whisperings, puffings up, insurrections, lest again having come, my God may humble me in regard to yöu, and I may mourn many of those having sinned before, and having not changed their mind concerning the uncleanness, and whoredom, and licentiousness, that they practiced.