² For if Abraham was ^(A)justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.

⁹ and be found in Him, not having ^(A)my own righteousness, which is from the law, but ^(B)that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

³¹ that, as it is written, ^(A)“He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”

³⁰ If I must boast, ^(A)I will boast in the things which concern my ^[a]infirmity.

⁹ not of ^(A)works, lest anyone should ^(B)boast.

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. ^8 (I)Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. ⁹ And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly ^(J)I will rather boast in my infirmities, ^(K)that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Be Reconciled to God

¹² For ^(A)we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity ^(B)to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart.

¹⁶ For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for ^(A)necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!

¹³ For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. ¹⁴ But God forbid that I should boast except in the ^(A)cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by ^[a]whom the world has been crucified to me, and ^(B)I to the world.