⁵ I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.^{(A) 6} Even if I should choose to boast,^(B) I would not be a fool,^(C) 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.^(D) Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh,^(E) a messenger of Satan,^(F) to torment me. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.^{(G) 9} But he said to me, “My grace^(H) is sufficient for you, for my power^(I) is made perfect in weakness.^(J)”^(K) 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^(L) in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,^(M) in persecutions,^(N) in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.^(O)

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves^(A) with compassion, kindness, humility,^(B) gentleness and patience.^(C)