Monday, September 20

10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

11I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing.

12Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.

13For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!

14Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

15And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.

16But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning!

17Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you?

18I urged Titus, and sent our 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?

19Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification.

19But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,

20also added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison.

21When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.

22And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, 'You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.'