2 Corinthians 12:3-8

New International Version

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^(A) to paradise^(B) 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.^{(C) 6} Even if I should choose to boast,^(D) I would not be a fool,^(E) 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.^(F) Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh,^(G) a messenger of Satan,^(H) to torment me. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.^(I)