12: 2 I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to the third heaven.
12: 3 And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth),
12: 4 how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
12: 5 On behalf of such a one will I glory: but on mine own behalf I will not glory, save in my weaknesses.
12: 6 For if I should desire to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I shall speak the truth: but I forbear, lest any man should account of me above that which he seeth me to be, or heareth from me.
12: 7 And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the 114revelations ─ wherefore, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a 115thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, 116that I should not be exalted overmuch.
114So ℵBA 1739 33 81 0243 copbo. p46 and a majority of lesser Gk. mss., copsa arm vg read revelations that I should not
115Or, stake
116So p46B Ivid 1739 81 0243 and most, copsa,bo arm. ℵA 33 D vg omit that I should not be exalted overmuch.
12: 8 Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
12: 9 And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that 117the power of Christ may 118rest upon me.
117So p46vidℵ*B D* copsa vg. But A 1739 33 81 0243 and most lesser Gk. mss., arm read my power
118Or, cover me. Gk. spread a tabernacle over me. See Rv 7:15.
12: 10 Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
12: 11 I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind 119the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing.
119Or, those preeminent apostles,
12: 12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all 120patience, by signs and wonders and 121mighty works.
120Or, stedfastness,
121Gk. powers.
12: 13 For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the churches, except it be that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this wrong.
12: 14 Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be a burden 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.
12: 15 And I will most gladly spend and be 122spent for your souls. If I am loving you more abundantly, am I loved the less?
122Gk. spent out
12: 16 But be it so, I did not myself burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
12: 17 Did I take advantage of you by any one of them whom I have sent unto you?
12: 18 I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? walked we not by the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
12: 19 123Ye think all this time that we are excusing ourselves unto you. In the sight of God speak we in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.
123Or, Think ye ... unto you? So ℵ*BA 1739 33 81 0243 1175 copsa vg. D and the majority of lesser Gk. mss., copbo arm read Again, think ye that ... unto you? p46 alone reads Think ye not already that ... unto you?
12: 20 For I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you not such as I would, and should myself be found of you such as ye would not; lest by any means there should be strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, 124tumults;
124Or, disorders;
12: 21 lest again when I come my God should humble me before you, and I should mourn for many of them that have sinned heretofore, and repented not of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they committed.
