2 Corinthians 12
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It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to a visions and b revelations of the Lord:
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I know a man c in Christ who fourteen years ago - whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows - such a one d was caught up to the third heaven.
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And I know such a man - whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows -
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how he was caught up into e Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
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Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not f boast, except in my infirmities.
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For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.
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And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a g thorn in the flesh was given to me, h a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
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i Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
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And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly j I will rather boast in my infirmities, k that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
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Therefore l I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. m For when I am weak, then I am strong.
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I have become n a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for o in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though p I am nothing.
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q Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and r wonders and mighty s deeds.
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For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!
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t Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for u I do not seek yours, but you. v For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
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And I will very gladly spend and be spent w for your souls; though x the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.
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But be that as it may, y I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning!
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Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you?
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I urged Titus, and sent our z brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?
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a Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? b We speak before God in Christ. c But we do all things, beloved, for your edification.
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For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that d I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults;
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lest, when I come again, my God e will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many f who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, g fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.
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Cross References
Acts 16:9
And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A m...
Acts 18:9
Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vi...
Acts 22:17
Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem a...
Acts 22:18
"and saw Him saying to me, 'Make haste and get ...
Acts 23:11
But the following night the Lord stood by him a...
Acts 26:13 - 15
At midday, O king, along the road I saw a light...
Acts 27:23
For there stood by me this night an angel of th...
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Cross References
Acts 9:3 - 6
As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and sudd...
1 Corinthians 14:6
But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking wi...
2 Corinthians 12:7
And lest I should be exalted above measure by t...
Galatians 1:12
For I neither received it from man, nor was I t...
Galatians 2:2
And I went up by revelation, and communicated t...
Ephesians 3:3 - 6
How that by revelation He made known to me the ...
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Cross References
Romans 16:7
Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
Galatians 1:22
And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ.
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Cross References
Acts 22:17
Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance
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Cross References
Luke 23:43
And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.
Revelation 2:7
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."'
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 11:30
If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.
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Cross References
Numbers 33:55
But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell.
Ezekiel 28:24
"And there shall no longer be a pricking brier or a painful thorn for the house of Israel from among all who are around them, who despise them. Then they shall know that I am the Lord GOD."
Hosea 2:6
Therefore, behold, I will hedge up your way with thorns, And wall her in, So that she cannot find her paths.
Galatians 4:13
You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first.
Galatians 4:14
And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
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Cross References
Job 2:7
So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.
Matthew 4:10
Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'
Luke 13:16
"So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound - think of it - for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?"
1 Corinthians 5:5
Deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
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Cross References
Deuteronomy 3:23
Then I pleaded with the LORD at that time, saying:
Matthew 26:44
So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 11:30
If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.
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Cross References
1 Peter 4:14
If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
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Cross References
Romans 5:3
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance.
Romans 8:35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 13:4
For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 5:13
For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you.
2 Corinthians 11:1
Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly - and indeed you do bear with me.
2 Corinthians 11:16
I say again, let no one think me a fool. If otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little.
2 Corinthians 12:6
For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
2 Corinthians 11:5
For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 3:7
So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
1 Corinthians 13:2
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
1 Corinthians 15:9
For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
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Cross References
Acts 14:3
Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
Romans 15:18
For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient -
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Cross References
Acts 15:12
Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles.
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Cross References
Acts 14:8 - 10
And in Lystra a certain man without strength in...
Acts 16:16 - 18
Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a c...
Acts 19:11
Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of...
Acts 19:12
So that even handkerchiefs or aprons were broug...
Acts 20:6 - 12
But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days...
Acts 28:1 - 10
Now when they had escaped, they then found out ...
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 1:15
And in this confidence I intended to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit -
2 Corinthians 13:1
This will be the third time I am coming to you. "By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.
2 Corinthians 13:2
I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare -
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Cross References
Acts 20:33
I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.
1 Corinthians 10:24 - 33
Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 4:14
I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.
Galatians 4:19
My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you.
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Cross References
John 10:11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives...
Romans 9:3
For I could wish that I myself were accursed fr...
2 Corinthians 1:6
Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consola...
Philippians 2:17
Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink of...
Colossians 1:24
I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fil...
1 Thessalonians 2:8
So, affectionately longing for you, we were wel...
2 Timothy 2:10
Therefore I endure all things for the sake of t...
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 6:12
You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.
2 Corinthians 6:13
Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 11:9
And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself.
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 8:18
And we have sent with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches.
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 5:12
For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart.
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Cross References
Romans 9:1
I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 9:2
That I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart.
2 Corinthians 11:31
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 10:33
Just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 4:21
What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
2 Corinthians 13:2
I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare -
2 Corinthians 13:10
Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 2:1
But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow.
2 Corinthians 2:4
For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 13:2
I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare -
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 5:1
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles - that a man has his father's wife!
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.