Chap. ix. Paul commendeth Titus. Charity recommended. was rich, yet for your sakes he be- 21 Providing for honest things, came poor, that ye through his not only in the sight of the Lord, poverty might be rich. but also in the sight of men. 10 And herein I give my ad- 22 And we have sent with them vice for this is expedient for you, our brother, whom we have oftenwho have begun before, not only times proved diligent in many to do, but also to be forward a things, but now much more diliyear ago. gent, upon the great confidence 11 Now, therefore, perform the which I have in you. doing of it; that, as there was a 23 Whether any do enquire of readiness to will, so there may be Titus, he is my partner and fellowa performance also out of that helper concerning you: or our which ye have. brethren be enquired of, they are 12 For if there be first a willing the messengers of the churches, mind, it is accepted according to and the glory of Christ. that a man hath, and not according 24 Wherefore shew ye to them, to that he hath not. and before the churches, the 13 For I mean not that other proof of your love, and of our men be eased, and you burdened; boasting on your behalf. 14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance CHAP. IX. Charity recommended. may be a supply for their webte Fing to the saints, it is supertheir want, OR as touching the ministerthat their abundance also may to the a supply for your want, that there fluous for me to write to you: may be equality: 2 For I know the forwardness 15 As it is written, He that bad of your mind, for which I boast gathered much had nothing over; of you to them of Macedonia, and he that bad gathered little had that Achaia was ready a year ago; no lack. and your zeal hath provoked very 16 But thanks be to God, which many. put the same earnest care into the 3 Yet have I sent the brethren, heart of Titus for you. lest our boasting of you should be 17 For indeed he accepted the in vain in this behalf; that, as I exhortation; but being more for-said, ye may be ready. ward, of his own accord he went 4 Lest haply if they of Macedounto you, nia come with me and find you 18 And we have sent with him unprepared, we (that we say not the brother, whose praise is in the you) should be ashamed in this gospel throughout all the church-same confident boasting. es: 5 Therefore I thought it neces 19 And not that only, but who sary to exhort the brethren, that was also chosen of the churches to they would go before unto you, travel with us with this grace, and make up beforehand your which is administered by us to the bounty, whereof ye had notice beglory of the same Lord, and decla-fore, that the same might be rearation of your ready mind: dy, as a matter of bounty, and 20 Avoiding this, that no man not as of covetousness. should blame us in this abun- 6 But this I say, He which dance which is administered by us: soweth sparingly shall reap also II. Corinthians. Paul's spiritual authority. sparingly; and he which soweth 2 But I beseech you, that I may bountifully shall reap also bounti-not be bold when I am present fully. with that confidence wherewith I 7 Every man according as he think to be bold against some, purposeth in his heart, so let him which think of us as if we walked give not grudgingly, or of ne-according to the flesh. cessity for God loveth a cheerful 3 For though we walk in the giver. flesh, we do not war after the flesh; 8 And God is able to make all 4 (For the weapons of our wargrace abound toward you; that fare are not carnal, but mighty ye, always having all-sufficiency through God to the pulling down in all things, may abound to every of strong holds ;) good work: 5 Casting down imaginations, 9 (As it is written, He hath and every high thing that exalteth dispersed abroad; he hath given itself against the knowledge of to the poor: his righteousness re-God, and bringing into captivity maineth for ever. every thought to the obedience of 10 Now, he that ministereth Christ; seed to the sower, both minister 6 And having in readiness to rebread for your food, and multiply venge all disobedience, when your your seed sown, and increase the obedience is fulfilled. fruits of your righteousness:) 7 Do ye look on things after the 11 Being enriched in every outward appearance? Ifany man thing to all bountifulness, which trust to himself that he is Christ's, causeth through us thanksgiving let him of himself think this again, to God. that, as he is Christ's, even so are 12 For the administration of this we Christ's. service not only supplieth the 8 For though I should boast want of the saints, but is abun- somewhat more of our authority, dant also by many thanksgivings which the Lord hath given us for unto God; edification, and not for your de 13 (Whiles by the experiment struction, I should not be ashamof this ministration they glorify ed; God for your professed subjection 9 That I may not seem as if I unto the gospel of Christ, and would terrify you by letters. for your liberal distribution unto 10 For his letters (say they) are them, and unto all men ;) weighty and powerful; but his 14 And by their prayer for you, bodily presence is weak, and his which long after you for the ex-speech contemptible. ceeding grace of God in you. 11 Let such an one think this, 15 Thanks be unto God for his that such as we are in word by unspeakable gift. CHAP. X. Of Paul's spiritual might. OW I Paul myself beseech No letters when we are absent, such will we be also indeed when we are present. 12 For we dare not make ouryou, by the meekness and selves of the number, or compare gentleness of Christ, who in pre- ourselves with some that comsence am base among you, but mend themselves: but they, meabeing abscnt am bold toward you.suring themselves by themselves, Paul's forced Chap. xi. self-commendation. and comparing themselves among well bear with him. themselves, are not wise. 5 For I suppose I was not a 13 But we will not boast of whit behind the very chiefest things without our measure, but apostles. according to the measure of the 6 But though I be rude in rule which God hath distributed speech, yet not in knowledge; but to us, a measure to reach even un- we have been thoroughly made manifest among you in all things. to you. 14 For we stretch not ourselves 7 Have I committed an offence beyond our measure, as though in abasing myself that ye might we reached not unto you; for we be exalted, because I have preachare come as far as to you also ined to you the gospel of God freepreaching the gospel of Christ: ly? 15 Not boasting of things with- 8 I robbed other churches, taout our measure, that is, of other king wages of them to do you sermen's labours; but having hope, vice. when your faith is increased, that 9 And when I was present with we shall be enlarged by you ac-you, and wanted, I was chargeacording to our rule abundantly. ble to no man: for that which 16 To preach the gospel in the was lacking to me the brethren regions beyond you: and not to which came from Macedonia supboast in another man's line, of plied; and in all things I have things made ready to our hand. kept myself from being burden17 But he that glorieth, let him some unto you, and so will I keep glory in the Lord. myself. 18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. CHAP. XI. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. 11 Wherefore? because I love Paul's forced self commendation. you not? God knoweth. 12 But what I do, that I will Wo bear with me a little in my do, that I may cut off occasion folly; and indeed bear with me." from them which desire occasion; 2 For I am jealous over you that wherein they glory, they may with godly jealousy: for I have be found even as we. espoused you to one husband, 13 For such are false apostles, that I may present you as a chaste deceitful workers, transforming virgin to Christ. themselves into the apostles of 3 But I fear, lest by any means, Christ. as the serpent beguiled Eve 14 And no marvel; for Satan through his subtilty, so your himself is transformed into an anminds should be corrupted from gel of light. the simplicity that is in Christ. 15 Therefore it is no great thing 4 For if he that cometh, preach-if his ministers also be transformeth another Jesus whom we haveled as the ministers of righteousnot preached, or if ye receiveness; whose end shall be accordanother spirit which ye have not ing to their works. received, or another gospel which 16 I say again, Let no man ye have not accepted, ye might think me a fool: if otherwise, yet 17 That which I speak, I speak weak? who is offended, and I it not after the Lord, but as it burn not? were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. 18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also. 30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 31 The God and Father of our 19 For ye suffer fools gladly, Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessseeing ye yourselves are wise. ed for evermore, knoweth that I 20 For ye suffer if a man bring lie not. you into bondage, if a man de- 32 In Damascus the governor vour you, if a man take of you, under Aretas the king kept the ciif a man exalt himself, if a man ty of the Damascenes with a garsmite you on the face. rison, desirous to apprehend me; 21 I speak as concerning re- 33 And through a window in a proach, as though we had been basket was I let down by the wall, weak. Howbeit, whereinsoever and escaped his hands. any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. IT CHAP. XII. Paul's wonderful revelations. 22 Are they Hebrews? so am T is not expedient for me, I. Are they Israelites? so am I. doubtless, to glory; I will Are they the seed of Abraham? come to visions and revelations of so am I. the Lord. 23 Are they ministers of Christ? 2 I knew a man in Christ above (I speak as a fool,) I am more: fourteen years ago, (whether in in labours more abundant, in the body, I cannot tell; or whestripes above measure, in prisons ther out of the body, I cannot more frequent, in deaths oft. tell: God knoweth,) such an one 24 Of the Jews five times re-caught up to the third heaven. ceived I forty stripes save cne. 3 And I knew such a man, 25 Thrice was I beaten with (whether in the body, or out of rods, once was I stoned, thrice Ithe body, I cannot tell: God suffered shipwreck, a night and a knoweth.) day I have been in the deep; 4 How that he was caught up 26 In journeyings often, in per-into paradise, and heard unils of waters, in perils of robbers, speakable words, which it is not in perils by mine own country-lawful for a man to utter. men, in perils by the heathen, in 5 Of such an one will I glory: perils in the city, in perils in the yet of myself I will not glory, but wilderness, in perils in the sea, in mine infirmities. in perils among false brethren; 6 For though I would desire to 27 In weariness and painful-glory, I shall not be a fool; for I ness, in watchings often, in hun-will say the truth: but now I forger and thirst, in fastings often, bear, lest any man should think in cold and nakedness. of me above that which he seeth 28 Besides those things that are me to be, or that he heareth of me. without, that which cometh upon 7 And lest I should be exalted me daily, the care of all the above measure through the abun Paul's threateneth Chap. xiii. obstinate sinners. dance of the revelations, there was 17 Did I make a gain of you by given to me a thorn in the flesh, any of them whom I sent unto the messenger of Satan to buffet you? measure. me, lest I should be exalted above 18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother: did Titus 8 For this thing I besought the make a gain of you? walked we Lord thrice, that it might depart not in the same spirit? walked we from me. not in the same steps? 9 And he said unto me, My 19 Again, think ye that we exgrace is sufficient for thee: for my cuse ourselves unto you? we strength is made perfect in weak-speak before God in Christ: but ness. Most gladly therefore will we do all things, dearly beloved, I rather glory in my infirmities, for your edifying. that the power of Christ may rest 20 For I fear, lest when I come upon me. I shall not find you such as I 10 Therefore I take pleasure in would, and that I shall be found infirmities, in reproaches, in ne-unto you such as ye would not: cessities, in persecutions, in dis-lest there be debates, envyings, tresses for Christ's sake: for when wraths, strifes, backbitings, whis I am weak, then am I strong. perings, swellings, tumults; 11 I am become a fool in glory- 21 And lest, when I come aing; ye have compelled me: for gain, my God will humble me I ought to have been commended among you, and that I shall beof you; for in nothing am I be- wail many which have sinned alhind the very chiefest apostles, ready, and have not repented of though I be nothing. the uncleanness, and fornication, 12 Truly the signs of an apostle and lasciviousness, which they were wrought among you in all have committed. patience, in signs and wonders, and mighty deeds. 13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, CHAP. XIII. coming to you. In the except it be that I myself was not mouth of two or three witnesses burdensome to you? forgive me shall every word be established. this wrong. 2 I told you before, and foretel 14 Behold, the third time I am you, as if I were present the seready to come to you; and I will cond time; and, being absent, not be burdensome to you; for I now I write to them which hereseek not yours, but you; for the tofore have sinned, and to all children ought not to lay up for other, that, if I come again, I will the parents, but the parents for the not spare; children. 3 Since ye seek a proof of 15. And I will very gladly spend Christ speaking in me, which to and be spent for you; though the you-ward is not weak, but is more abundantly I love you, the mighty in you. less I be loved. 4 For though he was crucified 16 But be it so, I did not bur-through weakness, yet he liveth den you: nevertheless, being craf-by the power of God. For we al ty, I caught you with guile, 30 are weak in him, but we shall |