I have preached to you the gospel of God without charge?
8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
9 And when I was present with you, and in need, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so will I keep myself .
10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. [1]
11 Why? because I love you not? God knoweth.
12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them who desire occasion; that in what they glory, they may be found even as we.
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no wonder; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also are transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
16 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. [2]
17 That which I speak, I speak it not according to the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
19 For ye bear with fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.
20 For ye bear with it, if a man bringeth you into bondage, if a man devoureth you, if a man taketh from you, if a man exalteth himself, if a man smiteth you on the face.
21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. But in whatever respect any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
23 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 often.
24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes less one.
25 Three times was I beaten with rods, once I was stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by my 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;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
28 Besides those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is led into sin, and I am not incensed?
30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern my infirmities.
31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:
33 And through a window in a basket I was let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
CHAP. 12.
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. [3]
2 I knew a man in Christ fourteen years ago, whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such one caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I knew such a man, whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4 How he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. [4]
5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in my infirmities.
6 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 what he heareth from me.
7 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.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord three times, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said to 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.
10 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.
11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended by you: for in nothing am I behind the very greatest apostles, though I am nothing.
