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1 Paul an Apostle of JESUS
CHRIST by the will of God,
and our brother
Timotheus, to the Church of
God, which is at Corinthus
with all the Saints, which
are in all Achaia:
2 Grace be with you,
and peace from God our
Father, and from the
Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be God even
the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Father of
mercies, and the God of all
comfort,
4 Which comforteth us in all
our tribulation, that we may
be able to comfort them
which are in any affliction
by the comfort wherewith we
ourselves are comforted of
God.
5 For as the sufferings of
Christ abound in us, so our
consolation aboundeth
through Christ.
6 And whether we be
afflicted, it is for
your consolation and
salvation, which is wrought
in the enduring of the same
sufferings, which we also
suffer: or whether we be
comforted, it is for
your consolation and
salvation.
7 And our hope is steadfast
concerning you, in as much
as we know that as ye are
partakers of the sufferings,
so shall ye be also
of the consolation.
8 For brethren, we would not
have you ignorant of our
affliction, which came unto
us in Asia, how we were
pressed out of measure
passing strength, so that we
altogether doubted, even of
life.
9 Yea, we received the
sentence of death in
ourselves, because we should
not trust in ourselves, but
in God, which raiseth the
dead.
10 Who delivered us from so
great a death, and doth
deliver us: in whom
we trust, that yet hereafter
he will deliver
us,
11 So that ye
labor together in prayer for
us, that for the gift
bestowed upon us for
many, thanks may be given by
many persons for us.
12 For our rejoicing is
this, the testimony of our
conscience, that in
simplicity and godly
pureness, and not in
fleshly wisdom, but by the
grace of God we have had our
conversation in the world,
and most of all to you
wards.
13 For we write none other
things unto you, then that
ye read or else that ye
acknowledge, and I trust ye
shall acknowledge unto the
end.
14 Even as ye have
acknowledged us partly, that
we are your rejoicing, even
as ye are ours, in the day
of our Lord Jesus.
15 And in this confidence
was I minded first to come
unto you, that ye might have
had a double grace,
16 And to pass by you into
Macedonia, and to come again
out of Macedonia unto you,
and to be led forth toward
Judea of you.
17 When I therefore was thus
minded, did I use lightness?
or mind I those things which
I mind, according to the
flesh, that with me should
be, Yea, yea, and Nay, nay?
18 Yea, God is faithful,
that our word toward you was
not Yea, and Nay.
19 For the Son of God Jesus
Christ, who was preached
among you by us, that is,
by me, and Silvanus, and
Timotheus, was not Yea, and
Nay: but in him it was Yea.
20 For all the promises of
God in him are Yea,
and are in him Amen, unto
the glory of God through us.
21 And it is God which
stablisheth us with you in
Christ, and hath anointed
us.
22 Who hath also sealed us,
and hath given the earnest
of the Spirit in our hearts.
23 Now, I call God for a
record unto my soul, that to
spare you, I came not as yet
unto Corinthus.
24 Not that we have dominion
over your faith, but we are
helpers of your joy: for by
faith ye stand.
1 But I determined thus in
myself, that I would not
come again to you in
heaviness.
2 For if I make you sorry,
who is he then that should
make me glad, but the same
which is made sorry by me?
3 And I wrote this same
thing unto you, lest when I
came, I should take
heaviness of them, of whom I
ought to rejoice: this
confidence have I in you
all, that my joy is the
joy of you all.
4 For in great affliction,
and anguish of heart I wrote
unto you with many tears:
not that ye should be made
sorry, but that ye might
perceive the love which I
have, specially unto you.
5 And if any hath caused
sorrow, the same hath not
made me sorry, but partly
(lest I should more charge
him) you all.
6 It is sufficient unto the
same man, that he was
rebuked of many.
7 So that now contrariwise
ye ought rather to forgive
him, and comfort
him, lest the same
should be swallowed up with
over much heaviness.
8 Wherefore, I pray you,
that you would confirm your
love towards him.
9 For this cause also did I
write, that I might know the
proof of you, whether ye
would be obedient in all
things.
10 To whom ye forgive any
thing, I forgive
also: for verily if I
forgave anything, to whom I
forgave it, for your sakes
forgave I it in the
sight of Christ,
11 Lest Satan should
circumvent us: for we are
not ignorant of his
enterprises.
12 ¶ Furthermore, when I
came to Troas to preach
Christ's Gospel, and a
door was opened unto me of
the Lord,
13 I had no rest in my
spirit, because I found not
Titus my brother, but took
my leave of them, and went
away into Macedonia.
14 Now thanks be unto
God, which always maketh us
to triumph in Christ, and
maketh manifest the savour
of his knowledge by us in
every place.
15 For we are unto God the
sweet savor of Christ, in
them that are saved, and in
them which perish.
16 To the one we are
the savor of death, unto
death, and to the other the
savor of life, unto life:
and who is sufficient for
these things?
17 For we are not as many,
which make merchandise of
the word of God: but as of
sincerity, but as of God in
the sight of God speak we in
Christ.
1 Do we begin to praise
ourselves again? or need we
as some other, epistles of
recommendation unto you, or
letters of
recommendation from you?
2 Ye are our epistle,
written in our hearts, which
is understand, and read of
all men,
3 In that ye are manifest,
to be the Epistle of Christ,
ministered by us, and
written, not with ink, but
with the Spirit of the
living God, not in tables of
stone, but in fleshly tables
of the heart.
4 And such trust have we
through Christ to God:
5 Not that we are sufficient
of ourselves, to think any
thing, as of ourselves: but
our sufficiency is of
God,
6 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.
7 If then the ministration
of death written with
letters and engraven in
stones, was glorious so that
the children of Israel could
not behold the face of
Moses, for the glory of his
countenance (which glory
is done away.)
8 How shall not the
ministration of the Spirit
be more glorious?
9 For if the ministry of
condemnation was
glorious, much more doth the
ministration of
righteousness exceed in
glory.
10 For even that which was
glorified, was not glorified
in this point, that is,
as touching the exceeding
glory.
11 For if that which should
be abolished, was
glorious, much more shall
that which remaineth, be
glorious.
12 Seeing then that we have
such trust, we use great
boldness of speech.
13 And we are not as
Moses, which put a
veil upon his face, that the
children of Israel should
not look unto the end of
that which should be
abolished.
14 Therefore their minds are
hardened: for until this day
remaineth the same covering
untaken away in the reading
of the Old Testament, which
veil in Christ is put
away.
15 But even unto this day,
when Moses is read, the veil
is laid over their hearts.
16 Nevertheless when their
heart shall be turned
to the Lord, the veil shall
be taken away.
17 Now the Lord is the
Spirit, and where the Spirit
of the Lord is, there
is liberty.
18 But we all behold as in a
mirror the glory of the Lord
with open face, and are
changed into the same image,
from glory to glory, as by
the Spirit of the Lord.
1 Therefore, seeing that we
have this ministry, as we
have received mercy, we
faint not:
2 But have cast from us the
cloaks of shame, and walk
not in craftiness, neither
handle we the word of God
deceitfully: but in
declaration of the truth we
approve ourselves to every
man's conscience in the
sight of God.
3 If our Gospel be then hid,
it is hid to them that are
lost.
4 In whom the God of this
world hath blinded the
minds, that is, of
the infidels, that the light
of the glorious Gospel of
Christ, which is the image
of God, should not shine
unto them.
5 For we preach not
ourselves, but Christ Jesus
the Lord, and ourselves your
servants for Jesus' sake.
6 For God that commanded the
light to shine out of
darkness, is he which
hath shined in our hearts,
to give the light of the
knowledge of the glory of
God in the face of Jesus
Christ.
7 But we have this treasure
in earthen vessels, that the
excellency of that power
might be of God, and not of
us.
8 We are afflicted on every
side, yet are we not
in distress: on poverty,but
no overcome of poverty.
9 We are persecuted,
but not forsaken: cast down,
but we perish not.
10 Every where we bear about
in our bodie the dying of
the Lord Jesus, that the
life of Jesus might also be
made manifest in our bodies.
11 For we which live, are
always delivered unto death
for Jesus' sake, that the
life also of Jesus might be
made manifest in our mortal
flesh.
12 So then death worketh in
us, and life in you.
13 And because we have the
same Spirit of faith,
according as it is written,
I believed, and therefore
have I spoken, we also
believe, and therefore
speak,
14 Knowing that he which
hath raised up the Lord
Jesus, shall raise us up
also by Jesus, and shall set
us with you.
15 For all things are for
your sakes that most
plenteous grace by the
thanksgiving of many may
redound to the praise of
God.
16 Therefore we faint not,
but though our outward man
perish, yet the inward man
is renewed daily.
17 For our light affliction
which is but for a moment,
causeth unto us a far most
excellent and an
eternal weight of glory:
18 While we look not on the
things which are seen, but
on the things which are not
seen: for the things which
are seen, are
temporal: but the things
which are not seen, are
eternal.
1 For we know that if our
earthly house of this
tabernacle be destroyed, we
have a building given
of God, that is, an
house not made with hands,
but eternal in the
heavens.
2 For therefore we sigh,
desiring to be clothed with
our house, which is from
heaven.
3 Because that if we be
clothed, we shall not be
found naked.
4 For indeed we that are in
this tabernacle, sigh and
are burdened, because we
would not be unclothed, but
would be clothed upon, that
mortality might be swallowed
up of life.
5 And he that hath created
us for this thing, is
God, who also hath given
unto us the earnest of the
Spirit.
6 Therefore we are alway
bold, though we know that
whilst we are at home in the
body, we are absent from the
Lord.
7 (For we walk by faith, and
not by sight.)
8 Nevertheless, we are bold,
and love rather to remove
out of the body, and to
dwell with the Lord.
9 Wherefore also we covet,
that both dwelling at home,
and removing from home, we
may be acceptable to him.
10 For we must all appear
before the judgment seat of
Christ, that every man may
receive the things which are
done in his body,
according to that he hath
done, whether it be
good or evil.
11 Knowing therefore the
terror of the Lord, we
persuade men, and we are
made manifest unto God, and
I trust also that we are
made manifest in your
consciences.
12 For we praise not
ourselves again unto you,
but give you an occasion to
rejoice of us, that ye may
have to answer
against them, which rejoice
in the face, and not in the
heart.
13 For whether we be out of
our wit, we are it to
God: or whether we be in our
right mind, we are it
unto you.
14 For the love of Christ
constraineth us: because we
thus judge, that if one be
dead for all, then were all
dead.
15 And he died for all, that
they which live, should not
henceforth live unto
themselves, but unto him
which died for them, and
rose again.
16 Wherefore, henceforth
know we no man after the
flesh, yea though we had
known Christ after the
flesh, yet now henceforth
know we him no more.
17 Therefore if any man
be in Christ, let him
be a new creature. Old
things are passed away:
behold, all things are
become new.
18 And all things are
of God, which hath
reconciled us unto himself
by Jesus Christ, and hath
given unto us the ministry
of reconciliation.
19 For God was in Christ,
and reconciled the world to
himself, not imputing their
sins unto them, and hath
committed to us the word of
reconciliation.
20 Now then are we
ambassadors for Christ: as
though God did beseech
you through us, we pray
you in Christ's stead, that
ye be reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him
to be sin for us, which
knew no sin, that we should
be made the righteousness of
God in him.
1 So we therefore as workers
together beseech you,
that ye receive not the
grace of God in vain.
2 For he saith, I have heard
thee in a time accepted, and
in the day of salvation have
I succoured thee: behold now
the accepted time, behold
now the day of salvation.
3 We give no occasion of
offense in any thing, that
our ministry should
not be reprehended.
4 But in all things we
approve ourselves as the
ministers of God, in much
patience, in afflictions, in
necessities, in distresses,
5 In stripes, in prisons, in
tumults, in labours,
6 By watchings, by fastings,
by purity, by knowledge, by
long suffering, by kindness,
by the Holy Ghost, by love
unfeigned,
7 By the word of truth, by
the power of God, by the
armor of righteousness on
the right hand and on the
left,
8 By honor, and dishonor, by
evil report, and good
report, as deceivers, and
yet true:
9 As unknown, and yet
known: as dying, and behold,
we live: as chastened, and
yet not killed:
10 As sorrowing, and yet
alway rejoicing: as poor,
and yet make many
rich: as having nothing, and
yet possessing all
things.
11 O Corinthians, our mouth
is open unto you: our heart
is made large.
12 Ye are not kept strait in
us, but ye are kept strait
in your own bowels.
13 Now for the same
recompense, I speak as to
my children, Be you also
enlarged.
14 Be not unequally yoked
with the infidels: for what
fellowship hath
righteousness with
unrighteousness? and what
communion hath light with
darkness?
15 And what concord hath
Christ with Belial? or what
part hath the believer with
the infidel?
16 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
among them, and walk there:
and I will be their God, and
they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from
among them, and separate
yourselves, saith the Lord,
and touch none unclean
thing, and I will receive
you.
18 And I will be a Father
unto you, and ye shall be my
sons and daughters, saith
the Lord almighty.
1 Seeing then we have these
promises, dearly beloved,
let us cleanse ourselves
from all filthiness of the
flesh and spirit, and grow
up unto full holiness in the
fear of God.
2 Receive us: we have done
wrong to no man: we have
consumed no man: we have
defrauded no man.
3 I speak it not to your
condemnation: for I have
said before, that ye are in
our hearts, to die and live
together.
4 I use great boldness of
speech toward you: I rejoice
greatly in you: I am filled
with comfort, and am
exceeding joyous in all our
tribulation.
5 For when we were come into
Macedonia, our flesh had no
rest, but we were troubled
on every side, fightings
without, and terrors within.
6 But God, that comforteth
the abject, comforted us at
the coming of Titus:
7 And not by his coming
only, but also by the
consolation wherewith he was
comforted of you, when he
told us your great desire,
your mourning, your fervent
mind to meward, so that I
rejoiced much more.
8 For though I made you
sorry with a letter, I
repent not, though I did
repent: for I perceive that
the same epistle made you
sorry, though it were
but for a season.
9 I now rejoice, not that ye
were sorry, but that ye
sorrowed to repentance: for
ye sorrowed godly, so that
in nothing ye were hurt by
us.
10 For godly sorrow causeth
repentance unto salvation,
not to be repented of: but
the worldly sorrow causeth
death.
11 For behold, this thing
that ye have been godly
sorry, what great care it
hath wrought in you: yea,
what clearing of yourselves:
yea, what
indignation: yea, what
fear: yea, how great
desire: yea, what a
zeal: yea, what
punishment: in all things ye
have showed yourselves, that
ye are pure in this matter.
12 Wherefore, though I wrote
unto you, I did not it for
his cause that had done the
wrong, neither for his cause
that had the injury, but
that our care toward you in
the sight of God might
appear unto you.
13 Therefore we were
comforted, because you were
comforted: but rather we
rejoiced much more for the
joy of Titus, because his
spirit was refreshed by you
all.
14 For if that I have
boasted anything to him of
you, I have not been
ashamed: but as I have
spoken unto you all things
in truth, even so our
boasting unto Titus was
true.
15 And his inward affection
is more abundant toward you,
when he remembereth the
obedience of you all, and
how with fear and trembling
ye received him.
16 I rejoice therefore
that I may put my confidence
in you in all things.
1 We do you also to wit,
brethren, of the grace of
God bestowed upon the
Churches of Macedonia,
2 Because in great trial of
affliction their joy
abounded, and their most
extreme poverty abounded
unto their rich liberality.
3 For to their power
(I bear record) yea, and
beyond their power, they
were willing,
4 And prayed us with great
instance that we would
receive the grace, and
fellowship of the ministring
which is toward the Saints.
5 And this they did,
not as we looked for: but
gave their own selves, first
to the Lord, and after
unto us by the will of God,
6 That we should exhort
Titus, that as he had begun,
so he would also accomplish
the same grace among you
also.
7 Therefore, as ye abound in
every thing, in faith and
word, and knowledge, and in
all diligence, and in your
love towards us, even so
see that ye abound in
this grace also.
8 This say I not by
commandment, but because of
the diligence of others:
therefore prove I the
naturalness of your love.
9 For ye know the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ, that
he being rich, for your
sakes became poor, that ye
through his poverty might be
made rich.
10 And I show my mind
herein: for this is
expedient for you, which
have begun not to do only,
but also to will, a year
ago.
11 Now therefore perform to
do it also, that as there
was a readiness to will,
even so ye may perform it of
that which ye have.
12 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.
13 Neither is it that
other men should be eased
and you grieved.
14 But upon like condition,
at this time your abundance
supplieth their lack,
that also their abundance
may be for your lack, that
there may be equality:
15 As it is written, He that
gathered much, had
nothing over, and he that
gathered little, had not
the less.
16 And thanks be unto
God, which hath put in the
heart of Titus the same care
for you.
17 Because he accepted the
exhortation, yea, he was so
careful that of his own
accord he went unto you.
18 And we have sent also
with him the brother, whose
praise is in the
Gospel throughout all the
Churches.
19 (And not so only, but is
also chosen of the Churches
to be a fellow in our
journey concerning this
grace that is ministered by
us unto the glory of the
same Lord, and
declaration of your
prompt mind)
20 Avoiding this, that no
man should blame us in this
abundance that is ministered
by us,
21 Providing for honest
things, not only before the
Lord, but also before men.
22 And we have sent with
them our brother, whom we
have oft times proved to be
diligent in many things, but
now much more diligent, for
the great confidence, which
I have in you.
23 Whether any do inquire
of Titus, he is my
fellow and helper to you
ward: or of our brethren,
they are messengers of the
Churches, and the
glory of Christ.
24 Wherefore show toward
them, and before the
Churches the proof of your
love, and of the rejoicing
that we have of you.
1 For as touching the
ministering to the Saints,
it is superfluous for me to
write unto you.
2 For I know your readiness
of mind, whereof I boast
myself of you unto them of
Macedonia, and say,
that Achaia was prepared a
year ago, and your zeal hath
provoked many.
3 Now have I sent the
brethren, lest our rejoicing
over you should be in vain
in this behalf, that you (as
I have said) be ready:
4 Lest if they of Macedonia
come with me, and find you
unprepared, we (I need not
to say, you) should be
ashamed in this my constant
boasting.
5 Wherefore, I thought it
necessary to exhort the
brethren to come before unto
you, and to finish your
benevolence appointed afore,
that it might be ready,
and come as of
benevolence, and not as of
sparing.
6 This yet remember,
that he which soweth
sparingly, shall reap also
sparingly, and he that
soweth liberally, shall reap
also liberally.
7 As every man wisheth in
his heart, so let him
give not grudgingly, or
of necessity: for God loveth
a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make
all grace to abound toward
you, that ye always having
all sufficiency in all
things, may abound in every
good work,
9 As it is written, He hath
sparsed abroad and hath
given to the poor: his
benevolence remaineth for
ever.
10 Also he that findeth seed
to the sower, will minister
likewise bread for food, and
multiply your seed, and
increase the fruits of your
benevolence,
11 That on all parts ye may
be made rich unto all
liberality, which causeth
through us thanksgiving unto
God.
12 For the ministration of
this service not only
supplieth the necessities of
the Saints, but also is
abundant by the thanksgiving
of many unto God.
13 (Which by the experiment
of this ministration praise
God for your voluntary
submission to the Gospel of
Christ, and for your liberal
distribution to them, and to
all men)
14 And by their prayer for
you, desiring after you
greatly, for the abundant
grace of God in you.
15 Thanks therefore be
unto God for his unspeakable
gift.
1 Now I Paul myself beseech
you by the meekness, and
gentleness of Christ, which
when I am present among you,
am base, but am bold
toward you being absent:
2 And this I require
you, that I need not to be
bold when I am present, with
that same confidence,
wherewith I think to be bold
against some, which esteem
us as though we walked
according to the flesh.
3 Nevertheless, though we
walk in the flesh, yet we do
not war after the flesh.
4 (For the weapons of our
warfare are not carnal, but
mighty through God, to cast
down holds)
5 Casting down the
imaginations, and every high
thing that is exalted
against the knowledge of
God, and bringing into
captivity every thought to
the obedience of Christ,
6 And having ready the
vengeance against all
disobedience, when your
obedience is fulfilled.
7 Look ye on things after
the appearance? If any man
trust in himself that he is
Christ's, let him consider
this again of himself, that
as he is Christ's,
even so are we
Christ's.
8 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
have no shame.
9 This I say that I
may not seem as it were
to fear you with letters.
10 For the letters, saith
he, are sore and strong, but
his bodily presence is weak,
and his speech is of no
value.
11 Let such 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.
12 For we dare not make
ourselves of the number, or
to compare ourselves to
them, which praise
themselves: but they
understand not that they
measure themselves with
themselves, and compare
themselves with themselves.
13 But we will not rejoice
of things, which are not
within our measure,
but according to the measure
of the line, whereof God
hath distributed unto us a
measure to attain even unto
you.
14 For we stretch not
ourselves beyond our
measure, as though we had
not attained unto you: for
even to you also have we
come in preaching the
Gospel of Christ,
15 Not boasting of things
which are without our
measure: that is, of
other men's labors: and we
hope, when your faith shall
increase, to be magnified by
you according to our line
abundantly,
16 And to preach the Gospel
in those regions
which are beyond you:
not to rejoice in another
man's line, that is,
in the things that are
prepared already.
17 But let him that
rejoiceth, rejoice in the
Lord.
18 For he that praiseth
himself, is not allowed, but
he whom the Lord praiseth.
1 Would to God, you could
suffer a little my
foolishness, and in deed, ye
suffer me.
2 For I am jealous over you,
with godly jealousy: for I
have prepared you for one
husband, to present you
as a pure virgin to
Christ:
3 But I fear lest as the
serpent beguiled Eve through
his subtlety, so your minds
should be corrupt from the
simplicity that is in
Christ.
4 For if he that cometh,
preacheth another Jesus then
him whom we have preached:
or if ye receive another
spirit then that which ye
have received: either
another Gospel, then that ye
have received, ye might well
have suffered him.
5 Verily I suppose that I
was not inferior to the very
chief Apostles.
6 And though I be
rude in speaking, yet I
am not so in
knowledge, but among you we
have been made manifest to
the utmost, in all things.
7 Have I committed an
offence, because I abased
myself, that ye might be
exalted, and because I
preached to you the Gospel
of God freely?
8 I robbed other Churches,
and took wages of them
to do you service.
9 And when I was present
with you, and had need, I
was not slothful to the
hinderance of any man: for
that which was lacking unto
me, the brethren which came
from Macedonia, supplied,
and in all things I kept and
will keep myself that I
should not be grievous to
you.
10 The truth of Christ is in
me, that this rejoicing
shall not be shut up against
me in the regions of Achaia.
11 Wherefore? Because I love
you not? God knoweth.
12 But what I do, that will
I do: that I may cut away
occasion from them which
desire occasion, that they
might be found like unto us
in that wherein they
rejoice.
13 For such false apostles
are deceitful workers, and
transform themselves into
the Apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel: for Satan
himself is transformed into
an Angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great
thing, though his ministers
transform themselves, as
though they were the
ministers of righteousness,
whose end shall be according
to their works.
16 I say again, let no man
think that I am foolish: or
else take me even as a fool,
that I also may boast myself
a little.
17 That I speak, I speak it
not after the Lord: but as
it were foolishly, in
this my great
boasting.
18 Seeing that many rejoice
after the flesh, I will
rejoice also.
19 For ye suffer fools
gladly, because that ye are
wise.
20 For ye suffer even if a
man bring you into bondage,
if a man devour you,
if a man take your goods,
if a man exalt himself, if a
man smite you on the face.
21 I speak as concerning the
reproach: as though that we
had been weak: but wherein
any man is bold (I speak
foolishly) I am bold also.
22 They are Hebrews, so am
I: they are Israelites, so
am I: they are the seed of
Abraham, so am I:
23 They are the ministers of
Christ (I speak as a fool) I
am more: in labors more
abundant: in stripes above
measure: in prison more
plenteously: in death oft.
24 Of the Jews five times
received I forty stripes
save one.
25 I was thrice beaten with
rods: I was once stoned: I
suffered thrice shipwreck:
night and day have I been in
the deep sea.
26 In journeying I was
often, in perils of waters,
in perils of robbers, in
perils of mine own nation,
in perils among the
Gentiles, in perils in the
city, in perils in
wilderness, in perils in the
sea, in perils among false
brethren,
27 In weariness and
painfulness, in watching
often, in hunger and thirst,
in fastings often, in cold
and in nakedness.
28 Beside the things which
are outward, I am cumbered
daily, and have the
care of all the Churches.
29 Who is weak, and I am not
weak? who is offended, and I
burn not?
30 If I must needs rejoice,
I will rejoice of mine
infirmities.
31 The God, even the Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
which is blessed for
evermore, knoweth that I lie
not.
32 In Damascus the governor
of the people under King
Aretas, laid watch in the
city of the Damascenes, and
would have caught me.
33 But at a window was I let
down in a basket through the
wall, and escaped his hands.
1 It is not expedient for me
no doubt to rejoice: for I
will come to visions and
revelations of the Lord.
2 I know a man in Christ
above fourteen years agone,
(whether he were in
the body, I can not tell, or
out of the body, I can not
tell: God knoweth) which was
taken up into the third
heaven.
3 And I know such a man
(whether in the body, or out
of the body, I can not tell:
God knoweth)
4 How that he was taken up
into Paradise, and heard
words which cannot be
spoken, which are not
possible for man to utter.
5 Of such a man will I
rejoice: of myself will I
not rejoice, except it be of
mine infirmities.
6 For though I would
rejoice, I should not be a
fool: for I will say the
truth, but I refrain, lest
any man should think of me
above that he seeth in me,
or that he heareth of me.
7 And lest I should be
exalted out of measure
through the abundance of
revelations, there was given
unto me a prick in the
flesh, the messenger of
Satan to buffet me, because
I should not be exalted out
of measure.
8 For this thing I besought
the Lord thrice, that it
might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My
grace is sufficient for
thee: for my power is made
perfect through weakness.
Very gladly therefore will I
rejoice rather in mine
infirmities, that the power
of Christ may dwell in me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure
in infirmities, in
reproaches, in necessities,
in persecutions, in anguish
for Christ's sake: for when
I am weak, then am I strong.
11 I was a fool to boast
myself: you have compelled
me: for I ought to have been
commended of you: for in
nothing was I inferior unto
the very chief Apostles,
though I be nothing.
12 The signs of an Apostle
were wrought among you with
all patience, with signs,
and wonders, and great
works.
13 For what is it, wherein
ye were inferiors unto other
Churches, except that I have
not been slothful to your
hinderance? forgive me this
wrong.
14 Behold, the third time I
am ready to come unto you,
and yet will I not be
slothful to your hinderance:
for I seek not yours, but
you: for the children ought
not to lay up for the
fathers, but the fathers for
the children.
15 And I will most gladly
bestow, and will be bestowed
for your souls: though the
more I love you, the less I
am loved.
16 But be it that I charged
you not: yet for as much as
I was crafty, I took you
with guile.
17 Did I pill you by any of
them whom I sent unto you?
18 I have desired Titus, and
with him I have sent a
brother: did Titus pill you
of any- thing? walked we not
in the selfsame spirit?
walked we not in the
same steps?
19 Again, think ye that we
excuse ourselves unto you?
We speak before God in
Christ. But we do all
things, dearly beloved, for
your edifying.
20 For I fear lest when I
come, I shall not find you
such as I would: and that I
shall be found unto you such
as ye would not, and lest
there be strife,
envying, wrath, contentions,
backbitings, whisperings,
swellings and
discord.
21 I fear lest when I
come again, my God abase me
among you, and I shall
bewail many of them which
have sinned already, and
have not repented of the
uncleanness, and
fornication, and wantonness
which they have committed.
1 This is the third
time that I come unto you.
In the mouth of two or three
witnesses shall every word
stand
2 I told you before, and
tell you before: as though I
had been present the second
time, so write I now being
absent to them which
heretofore have sinned and
to all others, that if I
come again, I will not
spare,
3 Seeing that ye seek
experience of Christ, that
speaketh in me, which toward
you is not weak, but is
mighty in you.
4 For though he was
crucified concerning his
infirmity, yet liveth he
through the power of God.
And we no doubt are weak in
him, but we shall live with
him, through the power of
God toward you.
5 Prove yourselves whether
ye are in the faith: examine
yourselves: know ye not your
own selves, how that Jesus
Christ is in you, except ye
be reprobates?
6 But I trust that ye shall
know that we are not
reprobates.
7 Now I pray unto God that
ye do none evil, not that we
should seem approved, but
that ye should do that which
is honest: though we be as
reprobates.
8 For we cannot do
any thing against the truth,
but for the truth.
9 For we are glad when we
are weak, and that ye are
strong: this also we wish
for, even your
perfection.
10 Therefore write I these
things being absent, lest
when I am present, I should
use sharpness, according to
the power which the Lord
hath given me, to
edification, and not to
destruction.
11 Finally brethren, fare ye
well: be perfect: be of good
comfort: be of one mind:
live in peace, and the God
of love and peace shall be
with you.
12 Greet one another with an
holy kiss. All the Saints
salute you.
13 The grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ, and the love
of God, and the communion of
the Holy Ghost be with you
all, Amen. ¶
The second Epistle to
the Corinthians, written
from Philippi, a city
in Macedonia, and sent
by Titus and Lucas.
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