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!

8 Concerning this I implored the Lord athree times that it might leave me.

9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for apower is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather bboast 1about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

10 Therefore aI am well content with weaknesses, with 1insults, with bdistresses, with cpersecutions, with bdifficulties, dfor Christ’s sake; for ewhen I am weak, then I am strong.