¹¹ He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven^(A) has been given to you,^(B) but not to them.

Paul’s Vision and His Thorn

12 I must go on boasting.^(A) Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations^(B) from the Lord.

⁷ or because of these surpassingly great revelations.^(A) Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh,^(B) a messenger of Satan,^(C) to torment me.

¹² I did not receive it from any man,^(A) nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation^(B) from Jesus Christ.^(C)

² I went in response to a revelation^(A) and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles.^(B) I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race^(C) in vain.

³ that is, the mystery^(A) made known to me by revelation,^(B) as I have already written briefly.

⁵ which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.^(A)