So (A)to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,[a] (B)a thorn was given me in the flesh, (C)a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. (D)Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, (E)“My grace is sufficient for you, for (F)my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that (G)the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 (H)For the sake of Christ, then, (I)I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For (J)when I am weak, then I am strong.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 12:7 Or hears from me, even because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited

I was given a thorn in my body because of the outstanding revelations I’ve received so that I wouldn’t be conceited. It’s a messenger from Satan sent to torment me so that I wouldn’t be conceited.

I pleaded with the Lord three times for it to leave me alone. He said to me, “My grace is enough for you, because power is made perfect in weakness.” So I’ll gladly spend my time bragging about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power can rest on me. 10 Therefore, I’m all right with weaknesses, insults, disasters, harassments, and stressful situations for the sake of Christ, because when I’m weak, then I’m strong.

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