¹ It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. For I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. ² I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I don't know, or whether out of the body, I don't know; God knows), such a one caught up into the third heaven. ³ I know such a man (whether in the body, or outside of the body, I don't know; God knows), ⁴ how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. ⁵ On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses. ⁶ For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, so that no man may think more of me than that which he sees in me, or hears from me. ⁷ By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively. ⁸ Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me. ⁹ He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me. ¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.