2 Corinthians 12:1–10

The Vision of Paradise

12It is ¹doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to ^avisions and ^brevelations of the Lord: ²I know a man ^cin 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 ^dwas caught up to the third heaven. ³And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—⁴how he was caught up into ^eParadise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. ⁵Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not ^fboast, except in my infirmities. ⁶For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.

The Thorn in the Flesh

⁷And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a ^gthorn in the flesh was given to me, ^ha messenger of Satan to ²buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. ⁸ⁱConcerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. ⁹And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly ^jI will rather boast in my infirmities, ^kthat the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰Therefore ^lI take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. ^mFor when I am weak, then I am strong.