2 Corinthians 12:1–10

¹Well, it is not of profit to me to boast, for I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. ²I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago, (whether in the body I know not, or out of the body I know not, God knows;) such a one caught up to the third heaven. ³And I know such a man, (whether in the body or out of the body I know not, God knows;) ⁴that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable things said which it is not allowed to man to utter. ⁵Of such a one I will boast, but of myself I will not boast, unless in my weaknesses. ⁶For if I shall desire to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth; but I forbear, lest any one should think as to me above what he sees me to be, or whatever he may hear of me. ⁷And that I might not be exalted by the exceeding greatness of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn for the flesh, a messenger of Satan that he might buffet me, that I might not be exalted. ⁸For this I thrice besought the Lord that it might depart from me. ⁹And he said to me, My grace suffices thee; for my power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of the Christ may dwell upon me. ¹⁰Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in straits, for Christ: for when I am weak, then I am powerful.