Part 9

011:031 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ--He who is blessed throughout the Ages--knows that I am speaking the truth.

011:032 In Damascus the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the gates of the city in order to apprehend me,

011:033 but through an opening in the wall I was let down in a basket, and so escaped his hands.

012:001 I am compelled to boast. It is not a profitable employment, but I will proceed to visions and revelations granted me by the Lord.

012:002 I know a Christian man who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know; God knows--was caught up (this man of whom I am speaking) even to the highest Heaven.

012:003 And I know that this man--whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know;

012:004 God knows--was caught up into Paradise and heard unspeakable things which no human being is permitted to repeat.

012:005 Of such a one I will boast; but of myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.

012:006 If however I should choose to boast, I should not be a fool for so doing, for I should be speaking the truth. But I forbear, lest any one should be led to estimate me more highly than what his own eyes attest, or more highly than what he hears from my lips.

012:007 And judging by the stupendous grandeur of the revelations-- therefore lest I should be over-elated there has been sent to me, like the agony of impalement, Satan's angel dealing blow after blow, lest I should be over-elated.

012:008 As for this, three times have I besought the Lord to rid me of him;

012:009 but His reply has been, "My grace suffices for you, for power matures in weakness." Most gladly therefore will I boast of my infirmities rather than complain of them-- in order that Christ's power may overshadow me.

012:010 In fact I take pleasure in infirmities, in the bearing of insults, in distress, in persecutions, in grievous difficulties-- for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

012:011 It is foolish of me to write all this, but you have compelled me to do so. Why, you ought to have been my vindicators; for in no respect have I been inferior to these superlatively great Apostles, even though in myself I am nothing.

012:012 The signs that characterize the true Apostle have been done among you, accompanied by unwearied fortitude, and by tokens and marvels and displays of power.

012:013 In what respect, therefore, have you been worse dealt with than other Churches, except that I myself never hung as a dead weight upon you? Forgive the injustice I thus did you!

012:014 See, I am now for the third time prepared to visit you, but I will not be a dead weight to you. I desire not your money, but yourselves; for children ought not to put by for their parents, but parents for their children.

012:015 And as for me, most gladly will I spend all I have and be utterly spent for your salvation.

012:016 If I love you so intensely, am I the less to be loved? Be that as it may: I was not a burden to you. But being by no means scrupulous, I entrapped you, they say!

012:017 Have I gained any selfish advantage over you through any one of the messengers I have sent to you?

012:018 I begged Titus to visit you, and sent our other brother with him. Did Titus gain any selfish advantage over you? Were not he and I guided by one and the same Spirit, and did we not walk in the same steps?

012:019 You are imagining, all this time, that we are making our defense at your bar. In reality it is as in God's presence and in communion with Christ that we speak; but, dear friends, it is all with a view to your progress in goodness.

012:020 For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may not find you to be what I desire, and that you may find me to be what you do not desire; that perhaps there may be contention, jealousy, bitter feeling, party spirit, ill-natured talk, backbiting, undue eulogy, unrest;

012:021 and that upon re-visiting you I may be humbled by my God in your presence, and may have to mourn over many whose hearts still cling to their old sins, and who have not repented of the impurity, fornication, and gross sensuality, of which they have been guilty.

013:001 This intended visit of mine is my third visit to you. "On the evidence of two or three witnesses every charge shall be sustained."

013:002 Those who cling to their old sins, and indeed all of you, I have forewarned and still forewarn (as I did on my second visit when present, so I do now, though absent) that, when I come again, I shall not spare you;

013:003 since you want a practical proof of the fact that Christ speaks by my lips--He who is not feeble towards you, but powerful among you.

013:004 For though it is true that He was crucified through weakness, yet He now lives through the power of God. We also are weak, sharing His weakness, but with Him we shall be full of life to deal with you through the power of God.