2 Corinthians 12:2-10

English Standard Version

² I know a man ^(A)in Christ who fourteen years ago was ^(B)caught up to ^(C)the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, ^(D)God knows. ³ And I know that this man was caught up into ^(E)paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, ^(F)God knows— ⁴ and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. ⁵ On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, ^(G)except of my weaknesses— ⁶ though if I should wish to boast, ^(H)I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. ⁷ So ^(I)to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,^{[a] (J)}a thorn was given me in the flesh, ^(K)a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. ^8 (L)Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. ⁹ But he said to me, ^(M)“My grace is sufficient for you, for ^(N)my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that ^(O)the power of Christ may rest upon me. ^10 (P)For the sake of Christ, then, ^(Q)I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For ^(R)when I am weak, then I am strong.