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how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
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Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities.
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For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.
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And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
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Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
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And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
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Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
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I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing.
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Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.
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For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!
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Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
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And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.
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But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning!
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Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you?
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I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?
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Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification.
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For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults;
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lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.