Paul’s Vision

1 aBoasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and brevelations 1of the Lord.

2 I know a man ain Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, bGod knows—such a man was ccaught up to the dthird heaven.

3 And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, aGod knows—

4 was acaught up into bParadise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.

5 aOn behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my bweaknesses.

6 For if I do wish to boast I will not be afoolish, bfor I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.

A Thorn in the Flesh

7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the arevelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a bthorn in the flesh, a cmessenger of Satan to 1torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!