69 lines
3.4 KiB
Markdown
69 lines
3.4 KiB
Markdown
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## A Vision of Paradise
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###### 1
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It is necessary to boast, though it is not profitable, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
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###### 2
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I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a man was caught up to the third heaven.
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###### 3
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And I know how such a man--whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows--
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###### 4
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was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.
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###### 5
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On behalf of such a man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in weaknesses.
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###### 6
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For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain _from this_, so that no one will consider me beyond what he sees _in_ me or hears from me.
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## A Thorn in the Flesh
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###### 7
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Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself!
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###### 8
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Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me.
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###### 9
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And He has said to me, **"My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness."** Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
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###### 10
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Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions and hardships, for the sake of Christ, for when I am weak, then I am strong.
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## Concern for the Corinthian Church
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###### 11
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I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most-eminent apostles, even if I am nothing.
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###### 12
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The signs of a true apostle were worked out among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.
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###### 13
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For in what respect were you treated as less than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
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###### 14
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Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you. For children ought not to save up for _their_ parents, but parents for _their_ children.
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###### 15
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So I will most gladly spend and be fully spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
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###### 16
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But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself. Nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit.
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###### 17
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Have I taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you?
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###### 18
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I encouraged Titus _to go_, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit--in the very same steps?
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###### 19
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All this time you think we are defending ourselves to you. We speak in Christ in the sight of God. And all _these_ things, beloved, are for your building up.
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###### 20
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For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps _there will be_ strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances.
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###### 21
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_I am afraid that_ when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality which they have practiced.
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