2 Corinthians 12:2-10
Read 2 Corinthians 12 in full →2I 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. 3And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, aGod knows— 4was acaught up into bParadise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. 5aOn behalf of such a man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in bweaknesses. 6For 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 consider me beyond what he sees in me or hears from me.
A Thorn in the Flesh
7Because 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! 8Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord athree times that it might leave me. 9And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for apower is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather bboast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10Therefore aI am well content with weaknesses, with 1insults, with bdistresses, with cpersecutions and dhardships, efor the sake of Christ, for fwhen I am weak, then I am strong.