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Paul's
Vision |
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2 Corinthians 12:1
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Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable;
but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. |
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2 Corinthians 12:2
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I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether
in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a
man was caught up to the third heaven. |
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2 Corinthians 12:3
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And I know how such a man--whether in the body
or apart from the body I do not know, God knows-- |
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2 Corinthians 12:4
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was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible
words, which a man is not permitted to speak. |
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2 Corinthians 12:5
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On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on
my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. |
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2 Corinthians 12:6
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For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish,
for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will
credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me. |
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A Thorn in the Flesh |
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2 Corinthians 12:7
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Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,
for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in
the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself!
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2 Corinthians 12:8
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Concerning this I implored the Lord three times
that it might leave me. |
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2 Corinthians 12:9
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And He has said to me, "My
grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most
gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power
of Christ may dwell in me. |
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2 Corinthians 12:10
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Therefore I am well content with weaknesses,
with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's
sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. |
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2 Corinthians 12:11
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I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled
me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior
to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody. |
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2 Corinthians 12:12
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The signs of a true apostle were performed among
you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles. |
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2 Corinthians 12:13
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For in what respect were you treated as inferior
to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you?
Forgive me this wrong! |
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2 Corinthians 12:14
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Here for this third time I am ready to come
to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but
you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents
for their children. |
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2 Corinthians 12:15
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I will most gladly spend and be expended for
your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? |
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2 Corinthians 12:16
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But be that as it may, I did not burden you
myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit. |
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2 Corinthians 12:17
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Certainly I have not taken advantage of you
through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I? |
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2 Corinthians 12:18
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I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother
with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct
ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps? |
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2 Corinthians 12:19
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All this time you have been thinking that we
are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have
been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved. |
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2 Corinthians 12:20
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For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may
find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish;
that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders,
gossip, arrogance, disturbances; |
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2 Corinthians 12:21
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I am afraid that when I come again my God may
humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in
the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they
have practiced. |
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