Paul’s 2nd Epistle to the Corinthians

¶ 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 A-‍cha′-‍ia:

Grace be to you, and peace, from ⟨God⟩ our Father, and from the ⟨Lord⟩ ⟨Jesus⟩ ⟨Christ⟩.

Blessed be ⟨God⟩, even the Father of our ⟨Lord⟩ ⟨Jesus⟩ ⟨Christ⟩, the Father of mercies, and the ⟨God⟩ of all comfort;

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⟩.

For as the sufferings of ⟨Christ⟩ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by ⟨Christ⟩.

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.

And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

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:

But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in ⟨God⟩ which raiseth the dead:

Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

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.

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.

For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;

As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are our’s in the day of the ⟨Lord⟩ ⟨Jesus⟩.

And in this conﬁdence I was reminded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second beneﬁt;

And to pass by you into Mac-‍e-do′-‍ni-‍a, and to come again out of Mac-‍e-do′-‍ni-‍a unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Ju-‍dæ′-‍a.

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?

But as ⟨God⟩ is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.

For the Son of ⟨God⟩, ⟨Jesus⟩ ⟨Christ⟩, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Sil-‍va′-‍nus and Ti-‍mo′-‍the-‍us, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.

For all the promises of ⟨God⟩ in him are yea, and in him A-‍men′, unto the glory of ⟨God⟩ by us.

Now he which stablisheth us with you in ⟨Christ⟩, and hath anointed us, is ⟨God⟩;

Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Moreover I call ⟨God⟩ for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.

Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy for by faith ye stand.

Chapter Two

¶ BUT I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.

For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?

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.

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.

But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.

Sufﬁcient to such a man is this punishment, which was inﬂicted of many.

So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

Wherefore I beseech you that ye would conﬁrm your love toward him.

For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.

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⟩;

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Furthermore, when I came to Tro′-‍as to preach ⟨Christ’s⟩ gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the ⟨Lord⟩,

I had no rest in spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Mac-‍e-‍do′-‍ni-‍a.

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.

For we are unto ⟨God⟩ a sweet savour of ⟨Christ⟩, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other (we are) the savour of life unto life. And who is sufﬁcent for these things?

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⟩.

Chapter Three

¶ DO we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?

Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:

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.

And such trust have we through ⟨Christ⟩ to ⟨God⟩-‍ward:

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of ⟨God⟩;

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.

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:

How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather (far more) glorious?

For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.

For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.

Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:

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:

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⟩.

But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

Nevertheless when it shall turn to the ⟨Lord⟩, the vail shall be taken away.

Now the ⟨Lord⟩ is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the ⟨Lord⟩ is, there is liberty.

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⟩.

Chapter Four

¶THEREFORE seeing we have this ministry, (and) as we have received mercy, we faint not;

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 (we) commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of ⟨God⟩.

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

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.

For we preach not ourselves, but ⟨Christ⟩ ⟨Jesus⟩ the ⟨Lord⟩; and ourselves your servants for ⟨Jesus’⟩ sake.

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⟩.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of ⟨God⟩, and not of us.

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

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.

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.

So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

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;

Knowing that he which raised up the ⟨Lord⟩ ⟨Jesus⟩ shall raise up us also by ⟨Jesus⟩, and shall present us with you.

For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of ⟨God⟩.

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

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.

Chapter Five

¶ 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.

For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.

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.

Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is ⟨God⟩, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the ⟨Lord⟩.

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the ⟨Lord⟩.

Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

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.

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.

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.

For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to ⟨God⟩: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

For the love of ⟨Christ⟩ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

And that he died for all, that they which (now) live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

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.

Therefore if any man be in ⟨Christ⟩, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

And all things are of ⟨God⟩, who hath reconciled us to himself by ⟨Jesus⟩ ⟨Christ⟩, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

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.

Now then we are ambassadors for ⟨Christ⟩, as though ⟨God⟩ did beseech you by us: we pray you in ⟨Christ’s⟩ stead, be ye recconciled to ⟨God⟩.

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.

Chapter Six

¶WE then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of ⟨God⟩ in vain.

(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.)

Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of ⟨God⟩, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy ⟨Ghost⟩, (and) by love unfeigned.

By the word of truth, by the power of ⟨God⟩. by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing; and yet possessing all things.

O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.

Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.

Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

And what concord hath ⟨Christ⟩ with Be′-‍li-‍al? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

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.•

Wherefore •Come out from among them, and be ye separate,• saith the ⟨Lord⟩, and touch not the unclean thing; •and I will receive you,•

•And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters,• saith the ⟨Lord⟩ Almighty.

Chapter Seven

¶ 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⟩.

Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.

I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.

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.

For, when we were come into Mac-‍e-‍do′-‍ni-‍a, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

Nevertheless ⟨God⟩, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

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.

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.

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.

For godly sorrow worketh repentance (un)to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

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.

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.

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.

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. [⇒]

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.

I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.

Chapter Eight

¶ MOREOVER, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of ⟨God⟩ bestowed on the churches of Mac-‍e-‍do′-‍ni-‍a;

How that in a geat trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

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⟩.

Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

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.

I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

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.

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.

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.

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.

For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:

As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

But thanks be to ⟨God⟩, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.

And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;

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:

Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the ⟨Lord⟩, but also in the sight of men.

And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in m;any things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.

Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of ⟨Christ⟩.

Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

Chapter Nine

¶ FOR as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superﬂuous for me to write to you:

For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Mac-‍e-‍do′-‍ni-‍a, that A-‍cha′-‍ia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.

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:

Lest haply if they of Mac-‍e-‍do′-‍ni-‍a come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.

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.

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for ⟨God⟩ loveth a cheerful giver.

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:

(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

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;)

Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to ⟨God⟩.

For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto ⟨God⟩;

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;

And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of ⟨God⟩ in you.

Thanks be unto ⟨God⟩ for his unspeakable gift.

Chapter Ten

¶ 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:

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.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through ⟨God⟩ to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Casting down (vain) imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of ⟨God⟩, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of ⟨Christ⟩;

And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Do ye look on things after 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⟩.

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:

That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.

For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

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.

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.

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.

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⟩:

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,

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.

But he that glorieth, let him glory in the ⟨Lord⟩.

For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the ⟨Lord⟩ commendeth.

Chapter Eleven

¶WOULD to ⟨God⟩ ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.

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⟩.

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⟩.

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.

For I suppose I was not a whit behiind the very chiefest apostles.

But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest wmong you in all things.

Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of ⟨God⟩ freely?

I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

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 Mac-‍e-‍do′-‍ni-‍a supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.

As the truth of ⟨Christ⟩ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of A-‍cha′-‍ia.

Wherefore? because I love you not? ⟨God⟩ knoweth.

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.

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of ⟨Christ⟩.

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

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.

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.

That which I speak, I speak it not after the ⟨Lord⟩, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.

For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.

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.

I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.

Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.

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.

Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

Thrice I was beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

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;

In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?

If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

The ⟨God⟩ and Father of our ⟨Lord⟩ ⟨Jesus⟩ ⟨Christ⟩, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

In Damascus the governor under Ar′-‍e-‍tas the king kept the city of Dam-‍a-‍scenes′ with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:

And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.

Chapter Twelve

¶ IT is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the ⟨Lord⟩.

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.

And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: ⟨God⟩ knoweth;)

How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

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.

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.

For this thing I besought the ⟨Lord⟩ thrice, that it might depart from me.

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.

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.

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.

Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

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.

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.

And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?

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?

Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before ⟨God⟩ in ⟨Christ⟩: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edification.

For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

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.

Chapter Thirteen

¶THIS is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

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:

Since ye seek a proof of ⟨Christ⟩ speaking in me, which to you-‍ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.

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.

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?

But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.

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.

For we can do nothing against the truth, but (only) for the truth.

For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

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.

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.

Greet one another with an holy kiss.

All the saints salute you.

The grace of the ⟨Lord⟩ ⟨Jesus⟩ ⟨Christ⟩, and the love of ⟨God⟩, and the communion of the Holy ⟨Ghost⟩, be with you all. A-‍men‍′‍.

“Line upon line, precept upon precept”…
for knowledge shall cease and wisdom fail,
but understanding remains (if gained from the former).