⁷ or because of these surpassingly great revelations.^(A) Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh,^(B) a messenger of Satan,^(C) to torment me. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.^{(D) 9} But he said to me, “My grace^(E) is sufficient for you, for my power^(F) is made perfect in weakness.^(G)”^(H) 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^(I) in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,^(J) in persecutions,^(K) in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.^(L)

⁴ For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness,^(A) yet he lives by God’s power.^(B) Likewise, we are weak^(C) in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him^(D) in our dealing with you.

²⁷ But God chose^(A) the foolish^(B) things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

¹³ “Make level paths for your feet,”^[a](A) so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.^(B)

¹⁰ Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing^(A) prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy^(B) of the Lord is your strength.”