Paul’s Thorn

12 I must boast, although it does not do any good. Let’s talk about visions and revelations from the Lord. ² I know a man who belongs to the Messiah.^[a] Fourteen years ago—whether in his body or outside of his body, I do not know, but God knows—that man was snatched away to the third heaven. ³ I know that this man—whether in his body or outside of his body, I do not know, but God knows— ⁴ was snatched away to Paradise and heard things that cannot be expressed in words, things that no human being has a right even to mention.

⁵ I will boast about this man, but as for myself I will boast only about my weaknesses. ⁶ However, if I did want to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I am not going to do it in order to keep anyone from thinking more of me than what he sees and hears about me.

⁷ To keep me from becoming conceited because of the exceptional nature of these revelations, a thorn^[b] was given to me and placed in my body.^[c] It was Satan’s messenger to keep on tormenting me so that I would not become conceited.