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.

Read full chapter

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

especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh(A) was given to me, a messenger[a] of Satan(B) to torment me so I would not exalt myself. Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power[b](C) is perfected in weakness.”(D) Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. 10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ.(E) For when I am weak, then I am strong.(F)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 12:7 Or me, an angel
  2. 2 Corinthians 12:9 Other mss read My power