2 Corinthians 12:1-10 ▼

1 I must brag, although it doesn't do any good. I'll go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.

2 I know a follower of Christ who was snatched away to the third heaven fourteen years ago. I don't know whether this happened to him physically or spiritually. Only God knows.

3 I know that this person

4 was snatched away to paradise where he heard things that can't be expressed in words, things that humans cannot put into words. I don't know whether this happened to him physically or spiritually. Only God knows.

5 I'll brag about this person, but I won't brag about myself unless it's about my weaknesses.

6 If I ever wanted to brag, I wouldn't be a fool. Instead, I would be telling the truth. But I'm going to spare you so that no one may think more of me than what he sees or hears about me,

7 especially because of the excessive number of revelations that I've had. Therefore, to keep me from becoming conceited, I am forced to deal with a recurring problem. That problem, Satan's messenger, torments me to keep me from being conceited.

8 I begged the Lord three times to take it away from me.

9 But he told me: |My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.| So I will brag even more about my weaknesses in order that Christ's power will live in me.

10 Therefore, I accept weakness, mistreatment, hardship, persecution, and difficulties suffered for Christ. It's clear that when I'm weak, I'm strong.