2 Corinthians 12:5-10

New American Standard Bible 1995

^5 (A)On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my ^(B)weaknesses. ⁶ For if I do wish to boast I will not be ^(C)foolish, ^(D)for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.

A Thorn in the Flesh

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