¹⁴ And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, ^(A)being more exceedingly zealous ^(B)for the traditions of my fathers.

¹⁵ But when it pleased God, ^(C)who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, ^16 (D)to reveal His Son in me, that ^(E)I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with ^(F)flesh and blood, ¹⁷ nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

Contacts at Jerusalem^(G)

¹⁸ Then after three years ^(H)I went up to Jerusalem to see ^[a]Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ But ^(I)I saw none of the other apostles except ^(J)James, the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)

^21 (K)Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. ²² And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which ^(L)were in Christ. ²³ But they were ^(M)hearing only, “He who formerly ^(N)persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” ²⁴ And they ^(O)glorified God in me.

Defending the Gospel^(P)

2 Then after fourteen years ^(Q)I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. ² And I went up ^[b]by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but ^(R)privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means ^(S)I might run, or had run, in vain.

The Vision of Paradise

12 It is ^[a]doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to ^(A)visions and ^(B)revelations of the Lord: ² I know a man ^(C)in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one ^(D)was caught up to the third heaven. ³ And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— ⁴ how he was caught up into ^(E)Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. ⁵ Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not ^(F)boast, except in my infirmities. ⁶ For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.

The Thorn in the Flesh

⁷ And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a ^(G)thorn in the flesh was given to me, ^(H)a messenger of Satan to ^[b]buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.