A Thorn in the Flesh

⁷ Because of the extraordinary greatness of the ^(A)revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a ^(B)thorn in the flesh, a ^(C)messenger of Satan to ^[a]torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! ⁸ Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord ^(D)three times that it might leave me. ⁹ And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for ^(E)power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather ^(F)boast ^[b]about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. ¹⁰ Therefore ^(G)I delight in weaknesses, in ^[c]insults, in ^(H)distresses, in ^(I)persecutions, in ^(J)difficulties, ^(K)in behalf of Christ; for ^(L)when I am weak, then I am strong.

¹¹ I have become ^(M)foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, since I was ^(N)in no respect inferior to the ^[d]most eminent apostles, even though ^(O)I am a nobody. ¹² The ^(P)distinguishing marks ^[e]of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by ^[f]signs, wonders, and ^[g]miracles. ¹³ For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that ^(Q)I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me ^(R)this wrong!

¹⁴ Here ^(S)for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I ^(T)will not be a burden to you; for I ^(U)do not seek what is yours, but ^(V)you; for ^(W)children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but ^(X)parents for their children. ¹⁵ I will ^(Y)most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If ^(Z)I love you more, am I to be loved less? ¹⁶ But be that as it may, I ^(AA)did not burden you myself; nevertheless, devious person that I am, I ^(AB)took you in by deceit. ^17 (AC)Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I? ¹⁸ I ^(AD)urged ^(AE)Titus to go, and I sent ^(AF)the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not ^[h]conduct ourselves ^[i]in the same ^(AG)spirit and walk ^(AH)in the same steps?

¹⁹ All this time ^[j]you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, ^(AI)it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and ^(AJ)all for building you up, ^(AK)beloved.