A Vision of Paradise

12 It is necessary to boast; it is not profitable, but I will proceed to visions and revelations of the Lord. ² I know a man in Christ fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or outside the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven, ³ and I know this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— ⁴ that he was caught up to paradise and heard words not to be spoken, which it is not permitted for a person to speak. ⁵ On behalf of such a person I will boast, but on behalf of myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses. ⁶ For if I want to boast, I will not be foolish, because I will be telling the truth, but I am refraining, so that no one can credit to me more than what he sees in me or hears anything from me, ⁷ even because of the extraordinary degree of the revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, in order that it would torment me so that I would not exalt myself.