thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. [11] I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing. [12] Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, by signs and wonders and mighty' works. [13] For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the churches, except it be that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this wrong. [14] Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be a burden to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. [15] And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less? [16] But be it so, I did not myself burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with guile. [17] Did I take advantage of you by any one of them whom I have sent unto you? [18] I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps? [19] Ye think all this time that we are excusing ourselves unto you. In the sight of God speak we in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying. [20] For I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you not such as I would, and should myself be found of you such as ye would not; lest by any means there should be strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults;" [21] lest again when I come my God should humble me before you, and I should mourn for many of them that have sinned heretofore, and repented not of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they committed. Or, cover me. Gr. spread a tabernacle over me. See Rev. 7. 15. Or, those pre-eminent apostles. Or, stedfastness. Gr. powers. Gr. spent out. Or, by the same spirit. 10 Or, Think ye... 11 O, disorders. . you? XIII [1] THIS is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses or three shall every word be established. [2] I have said beforehand,' and I do say beforehand1 as3 when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, to them that have sinned heretofore, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare; [3] seeing that ye seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me; who to youward is not weak, but is powerful in you: [4] for he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God. For we also are weak in' him, but we shall live with, him through the power of God toward you. [5] Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate. [6] But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate. [7] Now we pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that ye may do that which is honorable, though we be as reprobate. [8] For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. [9] For we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong: this we also pray for, even your perfecting. [10] For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for casting down. [11] Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfected; be comforted; be of the same mind; live in peace: and the God of love and peace shall be with you. [12] Salute one another with a holy kiss. [13] All the saints salute you. [14] The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. 1 Or, plainly. Comp. 1 Thess. 3. 4. 2 Or, as if I were present the second time, even though I am now absent Many ancient authorities read with. Or, rejoice: be perfected. Gr. and that. HYMNS OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH HYMNS BASED ON PSALMS PSALMS XIX, XXIII, LXXII, XC, C, CIV. GREEK HYMNS GLORIA IN EXCELSIS-SHEPHERD OF TENDER YOUTH BE NOT DISMAYED-IN TEMPTATION JESU, DULCIS MEMORIA JESU, DULCEDO CORDIUM-DIES IRE, DIES ILLA CHRISTMAS HYMN LIGHT SHINING OUT OF DARKNESS 575 THE PILLAR OF CLOUD NEARER, MY GOD, TO THEE MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE A SUN-DAY HYMN-THE PILGRIMS OF THE NIGHT 579 580 HYMNS BASED ON PSALMS T PSALM XIX JOSEPH ADDISON HE spacious firmament on high, And spangled heavens, a shining frame, Their great Original proclaim. The unwearied sun from day to day And publishes to every land Soon as the evening shades prevail Whilst all the stars that round her burn, And spread the truth from pole to pole. What though in solemn silence all |