CHAP. XII.
His raptures and revelations.
His being buffeted by Satan.
His fear for the Corinthians.
1 If I must glory (it is not
expedient indeed:) but I
will come to visions and revelations
of the Lord.
2 I know a man in Christ
above fourteen years ago (whether
in the body I know not,
or out of the body I know not,
God knoweth) such a one
caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I know such a man
(whether in the body, or out
of the body, I cannot tell,
God knoweth)
4 How he was caught up
into paradise; and heard secret
words, which it is not
granted to man to utter.
5 Of such a one I will
glory: but for myself I will
glory nothing, but in my infirmities.
6 For even if I would
glory, I shall not be foolish:
for I shall say the truth. But
I forbear, lest any man
should think of me above
that which he seeth in me,
or any thing he heareth from
me.
7 And lest the greatness of
the revelations should lift me
up, there was given me a sting
of my flesh, an angel of satan,
to buffet me.
8 For which thing I thrice
besought the Lord, that it
might depart from me:
9 And he said to me: My
grace is sufficient for thee:
for note power is made perfect
in infirmity. Gladly therefore
will I glory in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ may
dwell in me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure
in my infirmities in reproaches,
in necessities, in
persecutions, in distresses for
Christ's sake. For when I
am weak, then am I powerful.
11 I am become foolish:
you have compelled me to it.
For I ought to have been commended
by you: for I have
no way come short of them
that are above measure apostles:
although I be nothing.
12 Yet the signs of my apostleship
have been wrought
on you, in all patience, in
signs, and wonders, and mighty
deeds.
13 For what is there that
you have had less than the
-- --
other churches; but that I
myself was not burthensome
to you? Forgive me this
wrong.
14 Behold, now the third
time I am ready to come to
you; and I will not be burthensome
to you. For I seek
not the things that are yours,
but you. For neither ought
the children to lay up for the
parents, but the parents for
the children.
15 And I most gladly will
spend and be spent myself for
your souls: although, loving
you more, I be loved less.
16 But be it so: I did not
burden you: but being crafty
I caught you by guile.
17 Did I over-reach you,
by any of them whom I sent
to you?
18 I desired Titus, and I
sent with him a brother. Did
Titus over-reach you? did
we not walk with the same
spirit? did we not in the same
steps?
19 Of old, think you that
we excuse ourselves to you?
We speak before God in
Christ: but all things, my
dearly beloved, for your edification.
20 For I fear, lest when I
come, I shall not find you such
as I would: and that I shall
be found by you such as you
would not. Lest perhaps contentions,
envyings, animosities,
dissensions, detractions, whisperings,
swellings, seditions,
be among you.
21 Lest again, when I come,
God humble me among you:
and I bewail many of them
that sinned before, and have
not done penance for the uncleanness
and fornication, and
lasciviousness, that they have
committed.
Challoner [1752], THE NEW TESTAMENT OF Our LORD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. Translated out of the Latin Vulgat Diligently compared with the original Greek And first published by the English College of Rhemes, anno 1582. Newly revised, and corrected according to the Clementin Edition of the Scriptures. WITH ANNOTATIONS For clearing up modern Controversies in Religion, and other Difficulties of Holy Writ () [word count] [B12000].
