2 Corinthians 11:31-12:9

New International Version

³¹ The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever,^(A) knows^(B) that I am not lying. ³² In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me.^{(C) 33} But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.^(D)

Paul’s Vision and His Thorn

12 I must go on boasting.^(E) Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations^(F) from the Lord. ² I know a man in Christ^(G) who fourteen years ago was caught up^(H) to the third heaven.^(I) Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.^{(J) 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^(K) to paradise^(L) 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.^{(M) 6} Even if I should choose to boast,^(N) I would not be a fool,^(O) 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.^(P) Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh,^(Q) a messenger of Satan,^(R) to torment me. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.^{(S) 9} But he said to me, “My grace^(T) is sufficient for you, for my power^(U) is made perfect in weakness.^(V)”^(W) Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.