2 Corinthians 12:1-10 ▼

1 To boast, really, is not profitable for me, for I will come to visions and revelations of the LORD.

2 I have known a man in Christ, fourteen years ago—whether in the body I have not known, whether out of the body I have not known, God has known—such a one being snatched up to the third heaven;

3 and I have known such a man—whether in the body, whether out of the body, I have not known, God has known—

4 that he was snatched up to the paradise, and heard unutterable sayings, that it is not possible for man to speak.

5 Of such a one I will boast, and of myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses,

6 for if I may wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will say truth; but I refrain, lest in regard to me anyone may think anything above what he sees me, or hears anything of me;

7 and that by the exceeding greatness of the revelations I might not be exalted too much, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, that he might batter me, that I might not be exalted too much.

8 I called on the LORD three times concerning this thing, that it might depart from me,

9 and He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness”; most gladly, therefore, will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of the Christ may rest on me:

10 for this reason I am well pleased in weaknesses, in damages, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses—for Christ; for whenever I may be weak, then I am powerful;