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But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep[a] me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated.[b] Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power[c] is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul’s Concern for the Corinthian Church

11 I have been a fool! You forced me to it. Indeed you should have been the ones commending me, for I am not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 12:7 Other ancient authorities read To keep
  2. 2 Corinthians 12:7 Other ancient authorities lack to keep me from being too elated
  3. 2 Corinthians 12:9 Other ancient authorities read my power

Even if I should choose to boast,(A) I would not be a fool,(B) 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, or because of these surpassingly great revelations.(C) Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh,(D) a messenger of Satan,(E) to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.(F) But he said to me, “My grace(G) is sufficient for you, for my power(H) is made perfect in weakness.(I)(J) 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(K) in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,(L) in persecutions,(M) in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.(N)

Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians

11 I have made a fool of myself,(O) 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](P) even though I am nothing.(Q)

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 12:11 Or the most eminent apostles