Monday of the 5th week after Pentecost

members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another… Rejoice with them that rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” saith the Lord. “Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Brethren, in whatever anyone is bold—I speak foolishly—I am bold also. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes save once. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and pain, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—besides those other things, that come upon me daily: my deep concern for all the Churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I do not burn? If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmities… The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I do not lie. In Damascus the governor, under Áretas the king, was guarding the city of the Dámascenes with a garrison, desiring to apprehend me; but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands… It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man 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 was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man; (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows;) how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he sees me to be, or that hears from me. And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I besought the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said unto me, “My grace is sufficient for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.