2Corinthians
CHAPTER1
1Paul,anapostleofJesusChristbythewillofGod,and Timothyourbrother,untothechurchofGodwhichisat Corinth,withallthesaintswhichareinallAchaia:
2GracebetoyouandpeacefromGodourFather,and fromtheLordJesusChrist
3BlessedbeGod,eventheFatherofourLordJesusChrist, theFatherofmercies,andtheGodofallcomfort;
4Whocomfortethusinallourtribulation,thatwemaybe abletocomfortthemwhichareinanytrouble,bythe comfortwherewithweourselvesarecomfortedofGod.
5ForasthesufferingsofChristaboundinus,soour consolationalsoaboundethbyChrist
6Andwhetherwebeafflicted,itisforyourconsolation andsalvation,whichiseffectualintheenduringofthe samesufferingswhichwealsosuffer:orwhetherwebe comforted,itisforyourconsolationandsalvation.
7Andourhopeofyouisstedfast,knowing,thatasyeare partakersofthesufferings,soshallyebealsoofthe consolation.
8Forwewouldnot,brethren,haveyouignorantofour troublewhichcametousinAsia,thatwewerepressedout ofmeasure,abovestrength,insomuchthatwedespaired evenoflife:
9Butwehadthesentenceofdeathinourselves,thatwe shouldnottrustinourselves,butinGodwhichraiseththe dead:
10Whodeliveredusfromsogreatadeath,anddoth deliver:inwhomwetrustthathewillyetdeliverus;
11Yealsohelpingtogetherbyprayerforus,thatforthe giftbestoweduponusbythemeansofmanypersons thanksmaybegivenbymanyonourbehalf.
12Forourrejoicingisthis,thetestimonyofourconscience, thatinsimplicityandgodlysincerity,notwithfleshly wisdom,butbythegraceofGod,wehavehadour conversationintheworld,andmoreabundantlytoyouward
13Forwewritenoneotherthingsuntoyou,thanwhatye readoracknowledge;andItrustyeshallacknowledgeeven totheend;
14Asalsoyehaveacknowledgedusinpart,thatweare yourrejoicing,evenasyealsoareoursinthedayofthe LordJesus.
15AndinthisconfidenceIwasmindedtocomeuntoyou before,thatyemighthaveasecondbenefit;
16AndtopassbyyouintoMacedonia,andtocomeagain outofMacedoniauntoyou,andofyoutobebroughton mywaytowardJudaea
17WhenIthereforewasthusminded,didIuselightness? orthethingsthatIpurpose,doIpurposeaccordingtothe flesh,thatwithmethereshouldbeyeayea,andnaynay?
18ButasGodistrue,ourwordtowardyouwasnotyea andnay
19FortheSonofGod,JesusChrist,whowaspreached amongyoubyus,evenbymeandSilvanusandTimotheus, wasnotyeaandnay,butinhimwasyea
20ForallthepromisesofGodinhimareyea,andinhim Amen,untothegloryofGodbyus.
21NowhewhichstablishethuswithyouinChrist,and hathanointedus,isGod;
22Whohathalsosealedus,andgiventheearnestofthe Spiritinourhearts
23MoreoverIcallGodforarecorduponmysoul,thatto spareyouIcamenotasyetuntoCorinth.
24Notforthatwehavedominionoveryourfaith,butare helpersofyourjoy:forbyfaithyestand
CHAPTER2
1ButIdeterminedthiswithmyself,thatIwouldnotcome againtoyouinheaviness
2ForifImakeyousorry,whoishethenthatmakethme glad,butthesamewhichismadesorrybyme?
3AndIwrotethissameuntoyou,lest,whenIcame,I shouldhavesorrowfromthemofwhomIoughttorejoice; havingconfidenceinyouall,thatmyjoyisthejoyofyou all
4ForoutofmuchafflictionandanguishofheartIwrote untoyouwithmanytears;notthatyeshouldbegrieved, butthatyemightknowthelovewhichIhavemore abundantlyuntoyou.
5Butifanyhavecausedgrief,hehathnotgrievedme,but inpart:thatImaynotoverchargeyouall
6Sufficienttosuchamanisthispunishment,whichwas inflictedofmany.
7Sothatcontrariwiseyeoughtrathertoforgivehim,and comforthim,lestperhapssuchaoneshouldbeswallowed upwithovermuchsorrow
8WhereforeIbeseechyouthatyewouldconfirmyour lovetowardhim.
9FortothisendalsodidIwrite,thatImightknowthe proofofyou,whetheryebeobedientinallthings
10Towhomyeforgiveanything,Iforgivealso:forifI forgaveanything,towhomIforgaveit,foryoursakes forgaveIitinthepersonofChrist;
11LestSatanshouldgetanadvantageofus:forwearenot ignorantofhisdevices
12Furthermore,whenIcametoTroastopreachChrist's gospel,andadoorwasopeneduntomeoftheLord, 13Ihadnorestinmyspirit,becauseIfoundnotTitusmy brother:buttakingmyleaveofthem,Iwentfromthence intoMacedonia.
14NowthanksbeuntoGod,whichalwayscausethusto triumphinChrist,andmakethmanifestthesavourofhis knowledgebyusineveryplace.
15ForweareuntoGodasweetsavourofChrist,inthem thataresaved,andinthemthatperish: 16Totheonewearethesavourofdeathuntodeath;andto theotherthesavouroflifeuntolifeAndwhoissufficient forthesethings?
17Forwearenotasmany,whichcorruptthewordofGod: butasofsincerity,butasofGod,inthesightofGodspeak weinChrist
CHAPTER3
1Dowebeginagaintocommendourselves?orneedwe, assomeothers,epistlesofcommendationtoyou,orletters ofcommendationfromyou?
2Yeareourepistlewritteninourhearts,knownandread ofallmen:
2CORINTHIANS
3Forasmuchasyearemanifestlydeclaredtobetheepistle ofChristministeredbyus,writtennotwithink,butwith theSpiritofthelivingGod;notintablesofstone,butin fleshytablesoftheheart.
4AndsuchtrusthavewethroughChristtoGod-ward:
5Notthatwearesufficientofourselvestothinkanything asofourselves;butoursufficiencyisofGod;
6Whoalsohathmadeusableministersofthenew testament;notoftheletter,butofthespirit:fortheletter killeth,butthespiritgivethlife
7Butiftheministrationofdeath,writtenandengravenin stones,wasglorious,sothatthechildrenofIsraelcouldnot stedfastlybeholdthefaceofMosesforthegloryofhis countenance;whichglorywastobedoneaway:
8Howshallnottheministrationofthespiritberather glorious?
9Foriftheministrationofcondemnationbeglory,much moredoththeministrationofrighteousnessexceedinglory
10Foreventhatwhichwasmadeglorioushadnogloryin thisrespect,byreasonoftheglorythatexcelleth
11Forifthatwhichisdoneawaywasglorious,muchmore thatwhichremainethisglorious.
12Seeingthenthatwehavesuchhope,weusegreat plainnessofspeech:
13AndnotasMoses,whichputavailoverhisface,that thechildrenofIsraelcouldnotstedfastlylooktotheendof thatwhichisabolished:
14Buttheirmindswereblinded:foruntilthisday remaineththesamevailuntakenawayinthereadingofthe oldtestament;whichvailisdoneawayinChrist
15Butevenuntothisday,whenMosesisread,thevailis upontheirheart
16NeverthelesswhenitshallturntotheLord,thevail shallbetakenaway.
17NowtheLordisthatSpirit:andwheretheSpiritofthe Lordis,thereisliberty
18Butweall,withopenfacebeholdingasinaglassthe gloryoftheLord,arechangedintothesameimagefrom glorytoglory,evenasbytheSpiritoftheLord
CHAPTER4
1Thereforeseeingwehavethisministry,aswehave receivedmercy,wefaintnot;
2Buthaverenouncedthehiddenthingsofdishonesty,not walkingincraftiness,norhandlingthewordofGod deceitfully;butbymanifestationofthetruthcommending ourselvestoeveryman'sconscienceinthesightofGod.
3Butifourgospelbehid,itishidtothemthatarelost:
4Inwhomthegodofthisworldhathblindedthemindsof themwhichbelievenot,lestthelightofthegloriousgospel ofChrist,whoistheimageofGod,shouldshineuntothem.
5Forwepreachnotourselves,butChristJesustheLord; andourselvesyourservantsforJesus'sake
6ForGod,whocommandedthelighttoshineoutof darkness,hathshinedinourhearts,togivethelightofthe knowledgeofthegloryofGodinthefaceofJesusChrist.
7Butwehavethistreasureinearthenvessels,thatthe excellencyofthepowermaybeofGod,andnotofus
8Wearetroubledoneveryside,yetnotdistressed;weare perplexed,butnotindespair;
9Persecuted,butnotforsaken;castdown,butnot destroyed;
10AlwaysbearingaboutinthebodythedyingoftheLord Jesus,thatthelifealsoofJesusmightbemademanifestin ourbody.
11Forwewhichlivearealwaydelivereduntodeathfor Jesus'sake,thatthelifealsoofJesusmightbemade manifestinourmortalflesh.
12Sothendeathworkethinus,butlifeinyou
13Wehavingthesamespiritoffaith,accordingasitis written,Ibelieved,andthereforehaveIspoken;wealso believe,andthereforespeak;
14KnowingthathewhichraiseduptheLordJesusshall raiseupusalsobyJesus,andshallpresentuswithyou
15Forallthingsareforyoursakes,thattheabundantgrace mightthroughthethanksgivingofmanyredoundtothe gloryofGod
16Forwhichcausewefaintnot;butthoughouroutward manperish,yettheinwardmanisreneweddaybyday.
17Forourlightaffliction,whichisbutforamoment, workethforusafarmoreexceedingandeternalweightof glory;
18Whilewelooknotatthethingswhichareseen,butat thethingswhicharenotseen:forthethingswhichareseen aretemporal;butthethingswhicharenotseenareeternal.
CHAPTER5
1Forweknowthatifourearthlyhouseofthistabernacle weredissolved,wehaveabuildingofGod,anhousenot madewithhands,eternalintheheavens.
2Forinthiswegroan,earnestlydesiringtobeclothed uponwithourhousewhichisfromheaven:
3Ifsobethatbeingclothedweshallnotbefoundnaked.
4Forwethatareinthistabernacledogroan,being burdened:notforthatwewouldbeunclothed,butclothed upon,thatmortalitymightbeswallowedupoflife.
5Nowhethathathwroughtusfortheselfsamethingis God,whoalsohathgivenuntoustheearnestoftheSpirit
6Thereforewearealwaysconfident,knowingthat,whilst weareathomeinthebody,weareabsentfromtheLord:
7(Forwewalkbyfaith,notbysight:)
8Weareconfident,Isay,andwillingrathertobeabsent fromthebody,andtobepresentwiththeLord
9Whereforewelabour,that,whetherpresentorabsent,we maybeacceptedofhim.
10Forwemustallappearbeforethejudgmentseatof Christ;thateveryonemayreceivethethingsdoneinhis body,accordingtothathehathdone,whetheritbegoodor bad
11KnowingthereforetheterroroftheLord,wepersuade men;butwearemademanifestuntoGod;andItrustalso aremademanifestinyourconsciences
12Forwecommendnotourselvesagainuntoyou,butgive youoccasiontogloryonourbehalf,thatyemayhave somewhattoanswerthemwhichgloryinappearance,and notinheart.
13Forwhetherwebebesideourselves,itistoGod:or whetherwebesober,itisforyourcause
14FortheloveofChristconstrainethus;becausewethus judge,thatifonediedforall,thenwerealldead:
2CORINTHIANS
15Andthathediedforall,thattheywhichliveshouldnot henceforthliveuntothemselves,butuntohimwhichdied forthem,androseagain
16Whereforehenceforthknowwenomanaftertheflesh: yea,thoughwehaveknownChristaftertheflesh,yetnow henceforthknowwehimnomore
17ThereforeifanymanbeinChrist,heisanewcreature: oldthingsarepassedaway;behold,allthingsarebecome new
18AndallthingsareofGod,whohathreconciledusto himselfbyJesusChrist,andhathgiventoustheministry ofreconciliation;
19Towit,thatGodwasinChrist,reconcilingtheworld untohimself,notimputingtheirtrespassesuntothem;and hathcommitteduntousthewordofreconciliation
20NowthenweareambassadorsforChrist,asthoughGod didbeseechyoubyus:weprayyouinChrist'sstead,beye reconciledtoGod
21Forhehathmadehimtobesinforus,whoknewnosin; thatwemightbemadetherighteousnessofGodinhim
CHAPTER6
1Wethen,asworkerstogetherwithhim,beseechyoualso thatyereceivenotthegraceofGodinvain.
2(Forhesaith,Ihaveheardtheeinatimeaccepted,andin thedayofsalvationhaveIsuccouredthee:behold,nowis theacceptedtime;behold,nowisthedayofsalvation.)
3Givingnooffenceinanything,thattheministrybenot blamed:
4Butinallthingsapprovingourselvesastheministersof God,inmuchpatience,inafflictions,innecessities,in distresses,
5Instripes,inimprisonments,intumults,inlabours,in watchings,infastings;
6Bypureness,byknowledge,bylongsuffering,by kindness,bytheHolyGhost,byloveunfeigned,
7Bythewordoftruth,bythepowerofGod,bythearmour ofrighteousnessontherighthandandontheleft,
8Byhonouranddishonour,byevilreportandgoodreport: asdeceivers,andyettrue;
9Asunknown,andyetwellknown;asdying,and,behold, welive;aschastened,andnotkilled;
10Assorrowful,yetalwayrejoicing;aspoor,yetmaking manyrich;ashavingnothing,andyetpossessingallthings
11OyeCorinthians,ourmouthisopenuntoyou,ourheart isenlarged
12Yearenotstraitenedinus,butyearestraitenedinyour ownbowels
13Nowforarecompenceinthesame,(Ispeakasuntomy children,)beyealsoenlarged
14Beyenotunequallyyokedtogetherwithunbelievers: forwhatfellowshiphathrighteousnesswith unrighteousness?andwhatcommunionhathlightwith darkness?
15AndwhatconcordhathChristwithBelial?orwhatpart hathhethatbelievethwithaninfidel?
16AndwhatagreementhaththetempleofGodwithidols? foryearethetempleofthelivingGod;asGodhathsaid,I willdwellinthem,andwalkinthem;andIwillbetheir God,andtheyshallbemypeople
17Whereforecomeoutfromamongthem,andbeye separate,saiththeLord,andtouchnottheuncleanthing; andIwillreceiveyou,
18AndwillbeaFatheruntoyou,andyeshallbemysons anddaughters,saiththeLordAlmighty.
CHAPTER7
1Havingthereforethesepromises,dearlybeloved,letus cleanseourselvesfromallfilthinessofthefleshandspirit, perfectingholinessinthefearofGod
2Receiveus;wehavewrongednoman,wehavecorrupted noman,wehavedefraudednoman.
3Ispeaknotthistocondemnyou:forIhavesaidbefore, thatyeareinourheartstodieandlivewithyou
4Greatismyboldnessofspeechtowardyou,greatismy gloryingofyou:Iamfilledwithcomfort,Iamexceeding joyfulinallourtribulation
5For,whenwewerecomeintoMacedonia,ourfleshhad norest,butweweretroubledoneveryside;withoutwere fightings,withinwerefears
6NeverthelessGod,thatcomforteththosethatarecast down,comfortedusbythecomingofTitus;
7Andnotbyhiscomingonly,butbytheconsolation wherewithhewascomfortedinyou,whenhetoldusyour earnestdesire,yourmourning,yourferventmindtoward me;sothatIrejoicedthemore
8ForthoughImadeyousorrywithaletter,Idonotrepent, thoughIdidrepent:forIperceivethatthesameepistle hathmadeyousorry,thoughitwerebutforaseason
9NowIrejoice,notthatyeweremadesorry,butthatye sorrowedtorepentance:foryeweremadesorryaftera godlymanner,thatyemightreceivedamagebyusin nothing.
10Forgodlysorrowworkethrepentancetosalvationnotto berepentedof:butthesorrowoftheworldworkethdeath 11Forbeholdthisselfsamething,thatyesorrowedaftera godlysort,whatcarefulnessitwroughtinyou,yea,what clearingofyourselves,yea,whatindignation,yea,what fear,yea,whatvehementdesire,yea,whatzeal,yea,what revenge!Inallthingsyehaveapprovedyourselvestobe clearinthismatter
12Wherefore,thoughIwroteuntoyou,Ididitnotforhis causethathaddonethewrong,norforhiscausethat sufferedwrong,butthatourcareforyouinthesightof Godmightappearuntoyou.
13Thereforewewerecomfortedinyourcomfort:yea,and exceedinglythemorejoyedweforthejoyofTitus, becausehisspiritwasrefreshedbyyouall
14ForifIhaveboastedanythingtohimofyou,Iamnot ashamed;butaswespakeallthingstoyouintruth,evenso ourboasting,whichImadebeforeTitus,isfoundatruth.
15Andhisinwardaffectionismoreabundanttowardyou, whilstheremembereththeobedienceofyouall,howwith fearandtremblingyereceivedhim
16IrejoicethereforethatIhaveconfidenceinyouinall things.
CHAPTER8
1Moreover,brethren,wedoyoutowitofthegraceofGod bestowedonthechurchesofMacedonia;
2CORINTHIANS
2Howthatinagreattrialofafflictiontheabundanceof theirjoyandtheirdeeppovertyaboundeduntotheriches oftheirliberality
3Fortotheirpower,Ibearrecord,yea,andbeyondtheir powertheywerewillingofthemselves;
4Prayinguswithmuchintreatythatwewouldreceivethe gift,andtakeuponusthefellowshipoftheministeringto thesaints.
5Andthistheydid,notaswehoped,butfirstgavetheir ownselvestotheLord,anduntousbythewillofGod
6InsomuchthatwedesiredTitus,thatashehadbegun,so hewouldalsofinishinyouthesamegracealso
7Therefore,asyeaboundineverything,infaith,and utterance,andknowledge,andinalldiligence,andinyour lovetous,seethatyeaboundinthisgracealso
8Ispeaknotbycommandment,butbyoccasionofthe forwardnessofothers,andtoprovethesincerityofyour love
9ForyeknowthegraceofourLordJesusChrist,that, thoughhewasrich,yetforyoursakeshebecamepoor,that yethroughhispovertymightberich
10AndhereinIgivemyadvice:forthisisexpedientfor you,whohavebegunbefore,notonlytodo,butalsotobe forwardayearago
11Nowthereforeperformthedoingofit;thatastherewas areadinesstowill,sotheremaybeaperformancealsoout ofthatwhichyehave
12Foriftherebefirstawillingmind,itisaccepted accordingtothatamanhath,andnotaccordingtothathe hathnot
13ForImeannotthatothermenbeeased,andye burdened:
14Butbyanequality,thatnowatthistimeyourabundance maybeasupplyfortheirwant,thattheirabundancealso maybeasupplyforyourwant:thattheremaybeequality:
15Asitiswritten,Hethathadgatheredmuchhadnothing over;andhethathadgatheredlittlehadnolack.
16ButthanksbetoGod,whichputthesameearnestcare intotheheartofTitusforyou
17Forindeedheacceptedtheexhortation;butbeingmore forward,ofhisownaccordhewentuntoyou
18Andwehavesentwithhimthebrother,whosepraiseis inthegospelthroughoutallthechurches;
19Andnotthatonly,butwhowasalsochosenofthe churchestotravelwithuswiththisgrace,whichis administeredbyustothegloryofthesameLord,and declarationofyourreadymind:
20Avoidingthis,thatnomanshouldblameusinthis abundancewhichisadministeredbyus:
21Providingforhonestthings,notonlyinthesightofthe Lord,butalsointhesightofmen
22Andwehavesentwiththemourbrother,whomwe haveoftentimesproveddiligentinmanythings,butnow muchmorediligent,uponthegreatconfidencewhichI haveinyou
23WhetheranydoenquireofTitus,heismypartnerand fellowhelperconcerningyou:orourbrethrenbeenquired of,theyarethemessengersofthechurches,andtheglory ofChrist
24Whereforeshewyetothem,andbeforethechurches, theproofofyourlove,andofourboastingonyourbehalf
CHAPTER9
1Forastouchingtheministeringtothesaints,itis superfluousformetowritetoyou:
2ForIknowtheforwardnessofyourmind,forwhichI boastofyoutothemofMacedonia,thatAchaiawasready ayearago;andyourzealhathprovokedverymany
3YethaveIsentthebrethren,lestourboastingofyou shouldbeinvaininthisbehalf;that,asIsaid,yemaybe ready:
4LesthaplyiftheyofMacedoniacomewithme,andfind youunprepared,we(thatwesaynot,ye)shouldbe ashamedinthissameconfidentboasting.
5ThereforeIthoughtitnecessarytoexhortthebrethren, thattheywouldgobeforeuntoyou,andmakeup beforehandyourbounty,whereofyehadnoticebefore,that thesamemightbeready,asamatterofbounty,andnotas ofcovetousness
6ButthisIsay,Hewhichsowethsparinglyshallreapalso sparingly;andhewhichsowethbountifullyshallreapalso bountifully
7Everymanaccordingashepurposethinhisheart,solet himgive;notgrudgingly,orofnecessity:forGodlovetha cheerfulgiver
8AndGodisabletomakeallgraceaboundtowardyou; thatye,alwayshavingallsufficiencyinallthings,may aboundtoeverygoodwork:
9(Asitiswritten,Hehathdispersedabroad;hehathgiven tothepoor:hisrighteousnessremainethforever
10Nowhethatministerethseedtothesowerbothminister breadforyourfood,andmultiplyyourseedsown,and increasethefruitsofyourrighteousness;)
11Beingenrichedineverythingtoallbountifulness, whichcauseththroughusthanksgivingtoGod.
12Fortheadministrationofthisservicenotonlysupplieth thewantofthesaints,butisabundantalsobymany thanksgivingsuntoGod;
13Whilesbytheexperimentofthisministrationthey glorifyGodforyourprofessedsubjectionuntothegospel ofChrist,andforyourliberaldistributionuntothem,and untoallmen;
14Andbytheirprayerforyou,whichlongafteryoufor theexceedinggraceofGodinyou.
15ThanksbeuntoGodforhisunspeakablegift
CHAPTER10
1NowIPaulmyselfbeseechyoubythemeeknessand gentlenessofChrist,whoinpresenceambaseamongyou, butbeingabsentamboldtowardyou:
2ButIbeseechyou,thatImaynotbeboldwhenIam presentwiththatconfidence,wherewithIthinktobebold againstsome,whichthinkofusasifwewalkedaccording totheflesh
3Forthoughwewalkintheflesh,wedonotwarafterthe flesh:
4(Fortheweaponsofourwarfarearenotcarnal,but mightythroughGodtothepullingdownofstrongholds;)
5Castingdownimaginations,andeveryhighthingthat exaltethitselfagainsttheknowledgeofGod,andbringing intocaptivityeverythoughttotheobedienceofChrist;
2CORINTHIANS
6Andhavinginareadinesstorevengealldisobedience, whenyourobedienceisfulfilled.
7Doyelookonthingsaftertheoutwardappearance?If anymantrusttohimselfthatheisChrist's,lethimof himselfthinkthisagain,that,asheisChrist's,evensoare weChrist's
8ForthoughIshouldboastsomewhatmoreofour authority,whichtheLordhathgivenusforedification,and notforyourdestruction,Ishouldnotbeashamed:
9ThatImaynotseemasifIwouldterrifyyoubyletters
10Forhisletters,saythey,areweightyandpowerful;but hisbodilypresenceisweak,andhisspeechcontemptible
11Letsuchanonethinkthis,that,suchasweareinword byletterswhenweareabsent,suchwillwebealsoindeed whenwearepresent
12Forwedarenotmakeourselvesofthenumber,or compareourselveswithsomethatcommendthemselves: buttheymeasuringthemselvesbythemselves,and comparingthemselvesamongthemselves,arenotwise.
13Butwewillnotboastofthingswithoutourmeasure,but accordingtothemeasureoftherulewhichGodhath distributedtous,ameasuretoreachevenuntoyou.
14Forwestretchnotourselvesbeyondourmeasure,as thoughwereachednotuntoyou:forwearecomeasfaras toyoualsoinpreachingthegospelofChrist:
15Notboastingofthingswithoutourmeasure,thatis,of othermen'slabours;buthavinghope,whenyourfaithis increased,thatweshallbeenlargedbyyouaccordingto ourruleabundantly,
16Topreachthegospelintheregionsbeyondyou,andnot toboastinanotherman'slineofthingsmadereadytoour hand
17Buthethatglorieth,lethimgloryintheLord
18Fornothethatcommendethhimselfisapproved,but whomtheLordcommendeth
CHAPTER11
1WouldtoGodyecouldbearwithmealittleinmyfolly: andindeedbearwithme.
2ForIamjealousoveryouwithgodlyjealousy:forIhave espousedyoutoonehusband,thatImaypresentyouasa chastevirgintoChrist.
3ButIfear,lestbyanymeans,astheserpentbeguiledEve throughhissubtilty,soyourmindsshouldbecorrupted fromthesimplicitythatisinChrist.
4ForifhethatcomethpreachethanotherJesus,whomwe havenotpreached,orifyereceiveanotherspirit,whichye havenotreceived,oranothergospel,whichyehavenot accepted,yemightwellbearwithhim
5ForIsupposeIwasnotawhitbehindtheverychiefest apostles.
6ButthoughIberudeinspeech,yetnotinknowledge;but wehavebeenthroughlymademanifestamongyouinall things
7HaveIcommittedanoffenceinabasingmyselfthatye mightbeexalted,becauseIhavepreachedtoyouthe gospelofGodfreely?
8Irobbedotherchurches,takingwagesofthem,todoyou service.
9AndwhenIwaspresentwithyou,andwanted,Iwas chargeabletonoman:forthatwhichwaslackingtomethe
brethrenwhichcamefromMacedoniasupplied:andinall thingsIhavekeptmyselffrombeingburdensomeuntoyou, andsowillIkeepmyself
10AsthetruthofChristisinme,nomanshallstopmeof thisboastingintheregionsofAchaia.
11Wherefore?becauseIloveyounot?Godknoweth 12ButwhatIdo,thatIwilldo,thatImaycutoffoccasion fromthemwhichdesireoccasion;thatwhereintheyglory, theymaybefoundevenaswe
13Forsucharefalseapostles,deceitfulworkers, transformingthemselvesintotheapostlesofChrist 14Andnomarvel;forSatanhimselfistransformedintoan angeloflight.
15Thereforeitisnogreatthingifhisministersalsobe transformedastheministersofrighteousness;whoseend shallbeaccordingtotheirworks.
16Isayagain,Letnomanthinkmeafool;ifotherwise, yetasafoolreceiveme,thatImayboastmyselfalittle 17ThatwhichIspeak,IspeakitnotaftertheLord,butas itwerefoolishly,inthisconfidenceofboasting 18Seeingthatmanygloryaftertheflesh,Iwillgloryalso 19Foryesufferfoolsgladly,seeingyeyourselvesarewise. 20Foryesuffer,ifamanbringyouintobondage,ifaman devouryou,ifamantakeofyou,ifamanexalthimself,if amansmiteyouontheface.
21Ispeakasconcerningreproach,asthoughwehadbeen weakHowbeitwhereinsoeveranyisbold,(Ispeak foolishly,)Iamboldalso.
22AretheyHebrews?soamIAretheyIsraelites?soamI AretheytheseedofAbraham?soamI
23AretheyministersofChrist?(Ispeakasafool)Iam more;inlaboursmoreabundant,instripesabovemeasure, inprisonsmorefrequent,indeathsoft
24OftheJewsfivetimesreceivedIfortystripessaveone.
25ThricewasIbeatenwithrods,oncewasIstoned,thrice Isufferedshipwreck,anightandadayIhavebeeninthe deep;
26Injourneyingsoften,inperilsofwaters,inperilsof robbers,inperilsbymineowncountrymen,inperilsbythe heathen,inperilsinthecity,inperilsinthewilderness,in perilsinthesea,inperilsamongfalsebrethren;
27Inwearinessandpainfulness,inwatchingsoften,in hungerandthirst,infastingsoften,incoldandnakedness.
28Besidethosethingsthatarewithout,thatwhichcometh uponmedaily,thecareofallthechurches
29Whoisweak,andIamnotweak?whoisoffended,and Iburnnot?
30IfImustneedsglory,Iwillgloryofthethingswhich concernmineinfirmities
31TheGodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist,whichis blessedforevermore,knoweththatIlienot
32InDamascusthegovernorunderAretasthekingkept thecityoftheDamasceneswithagarrison,desirousto apprehendme:
33AndthroughawindowinabasketwasIletdownbythe wall,andescapedhishands
CHAPTER12
1Itisnotexpedientformedoubtlesstoglory.Iwillcome tovisionsandrevelationsoftheLord
2CORINTHIANS
2IknewamaninChristabovefourteenyearsago, (whetherinthebody,Icannottell;orwhetheroutofthe body,Icannottell:Godknoweth;)suchanonecaughtup tothethirdheaven.
3AndIknewsuchaman,(whetherinthebody,oroutof thebody,Icannottell:Godknoweth;)
4Howthathewascaughtupintoparadise,andheard unspeakablewords,whichitisnotlawfulforamantoutter.
5OfsuchanonewillIglory:yetofmyselfIwillnotglory, butinmineinfirmities
6ForthoughIwoulddesiretoglory,Ishallnotbeafool; forIwillsaythetruth:butnowIforbear,lestanyman shouldthinkofmeabovethatwhichheseethmetobe,or thathehearethofme
7AndlestIshouldbeexaltedabovemeasurethroughthe abundanceoftherevelations,therewasgiventomeathorn intheflesh,themessengerofSatantobuffetme,lestI shouldbeexaltedabovemeasure
8ForthisthingIbesoughttheLordthrice,thatitmight departfromme
9Andhesaiduntome,Mygraceissufficientforthee:for mystrengthismadeperfectinweakness.Mostgladly thereforewillIrathergloryinmyinfirmities,thatthe powerofChristmayrestuponme
10ThereforeItakepleasureininfirmities,inreproaches,in necessities,inpersecutions,indistressesforChrist'ssake: forwhenIamweak,thenamIstrong
11Iambecomeafoolinglorying;yehavecompelledme: forIoughttohavebeencommendedofyou:forinnothing amIbehindtheverychiefestapostles,thoughIbenothing 12Trulythesignsofanapostlewerewroughtamongyou inallpatience,insigns,andwonders,andmightydeeds
13Forwhatisitwhereinyewereinferiortootherchurches, exceptitbethatImyselfwasnotburdensometoyou? forgivemethiswrong
14Behold,thethirdtimeIamreadytocometoyou;andI willnotbeburdensometoyou:forIseeknotyours,but you:forthechildrenoughtnottolayupfortheparents,but theparentsforthechildren
15AndIwillverygladlyspendandbespentforyou; thoughthemoreabundantlyIloveyou,thelessIbeloved 16Butbeitso,Ididnotburdenyou:nevertheless,being crafty,Icaughtyouwithguile.
17DidImakeagainofyoubyanyofthemwhomIsent untoyou?
18IdesiredTitus,andwithhimIsentabrother.DidTitus makeagainofyou?walkedwenotinthesamespirit? walkedwenotinthesamesteps?
19Again,thinkyethatweexcuseourselvesuntoyou?we speakbeforeGodinChrist:butwedoallthings,dearly beloved,foryouredifying
20ForIfear,lest,whenIcome,Ishallnotfindyousuchas Iwould,andthatIshallbefounduntoyousuchasye wouldnot:lesttherebedebates,envyings,wraths,strifes, backbitings,whisperings,swellings,tumults:
21Andlest,whenIcomeagain,myGodwillhumbleme amongyou,andthatIshallbewailmanywhichhave sinnedalready,andhavenotrepentedoftheuncleanness andfornicationandlasciviousnesswhichtheyhave committed.
CHAPTER13
1ThisisthethirdtimeIamcomingtoyouInthemouthof twoorthreewitnessesshalleverywordbeestablished.
2Itoldyoubefore,andforetellyou,asifIwerepresent, thesecondtime;andbeingabsentnowIwritetothem whichheretoforehavesinned,andtoallother,that,ifI comeagain,Iwillnotspare:
3SinceyeseekaproofofChristspeakinginme,whichto you-wardisnotweak,butismightyinyou
4Forthoughhewascrucifiedthroughweakness,yethe livethbythepowerofGodForwealsoareweakinhim, butweshalllivewithhimbythepowerofGodtowardyou.
5Examineyourselves,whetheryebeinthefaith;prove yourownselvesKnowyenotyourownselves,howthat JesusChristisinyou,exceptyebereprobates?
6ButItrustthatyeshallknowthatwearenotreprobates
7NowIpraytoGodthatyedonoevil;notthatweshould appearapproved,butthatyeshoulddothatwhichishonest, thoughwebeasreprobates
8Forwecandonothingagainstthetruth,butforthetruth
9Forweareglad,whenweareweak,andyearestrong: andthisalsowewish,evenyourperfection
10ThereforeIwritethesethingsbeingabsent,lestbeing presentIshouldusesharpness,accordingtothepower whichtheLordhathgivenmetoedification,andnotto destruction
11Finally,brethren,farewell.Beperfect,beofgood comfort,beofonemind,liveinpeace;andtheGodoflove andpeaceshallbewithyou
12Greetoneanotherwithanholykiss.
13Allthesaintssaluteyou
14ThegraceoftheLordJesusChrist,andtheloveofGod, andthecommunionoftheHolyGhost,bewithyouall. Amen(ThesecondepistletotheCorinthianswaswritten fromPhilippi,acityofMacedonia,byTitusandLucas)