2 Corinthians 12:4-12

New International Version

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) 9} But he said to me, “My grace^(J) is sufficient for you, for my power^(K) is made perfect in weakness.^(L)”^(M) 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^(N) in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,^(O) in persecutions,^(P) in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.^(Q)

Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians

¹¹ I have made a fool of myself,^(R) but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,”^[a](S) even though I am nothing.^{(T) 12} I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.^(U)