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

⁸ I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me, ⁹ but he has told me, “My grace is all you need, because my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most happily boast about my weaknesses, so that the Messiah’s^[c] power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why I take such pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for the Messiah’s^[d] sake, for when I am weak, then I am strong.