2 Corinthians 12:2-10
Good News Translation
2 I know a certain Christian man who fourteen years ago was snatched up to the highest heaven (I do not know whether this actually happened or whether he had a vision—only God knows). 3-4 I repeat, I know that this man was snatched to Paradise (again, I do not know whether this actually happened or whether it was a vision—only God knows), and there he heard things which cannot be put into words, things that human lips may not speak. 5 So I will boast about this man—but I will not boast about myself, except the things that show how weak I am. 6 If I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I will not boast, because I do not want any of you to have a higher opinion of me than you have as a result of what you have seen me do and heard me say.
7 But to keep me from being puffed up with pride because of the many wonderful things I saw, I was given a painful physical ailment, which acts as Satan's messenger to beat me and keep me from being proud. 8 Three times I prayed to the Lord about this and asked him to take it away. 9 But his answer was: “My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.” I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me. 10 I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
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2 Corinthians 12:2-10
New International Version
2 I know a man in Christ(A) who fourteen years ago was caught up(B) to the third heaven.(C) Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.(D) 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up(E) to paradise(F) and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.(G) 6 Even if I should choose to boast,(H) I would not be a fool,(I) because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations.(J) Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh,(K) a messenger of Satan,(L) to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.(M) 9 But he said to me, “My grace(N) is sufficient for you, for my power(O) is made perfect in weakness.(P)”(Q) Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight(R) in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,(S) in persecutions,(T) in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.(U)
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