Saturday of the 5th week after Pentecost

Brethren, as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God… For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature eagerly waits for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

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.