² If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.^(A)

⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,^(A) but that which is through faith in^[a] Christ—the righteousness^(B) that comes from God on the basis of faith.^(C)

³¹ Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”^[a](A)

³⁰ If I must boast, I will boast^(A) of the things that show my weakness.^(B)

⁹ not by works,^(A) so that no one can boast.^(B)

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. ² I know a man in Christ^(C) who fourteen years ago was caught up^(D) to the third heaven.^(E) Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.^{(F) 3} And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— ⁴ was caught up^(G) to paradise^(H) and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. ⁵ I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.^{(I) 6} Even if I should choose to boast,^(J) I would not be a fool,^(K) because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, ⁷ or because of these surpassingly great revelations.^(L) Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh,^(M) a messenger of Satan,^(N) to torment me. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.^{(O) 9} But he said to me, “My grace^(P) is sufficient for you, for my power^(Q) is made perfect in weakness.^(R)”^(S) Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

¹² We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again,^(A) but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us,^(B) so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart.

¹⁶ For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach.^(A) Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

¹³ Not even those who are circumcised keep the law,^(A) yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.^{(B) 14} May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,^(C) through which^[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.^(D)