2
I know a man in Christ who fourteenyearsago-whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, Godknows-such a man was caught up to the thirdheaven.
6
For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that noone will credit me with morethan he sees in me orhears from me.
7
Because of the surpassinggreatness of the revelations, for thisreason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me-to keep me from exalting myself!
9
And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Mostgladly, therefore, I will ratherboastabout my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
10
Therefore I amwellcontent with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ'ssake; for when I amweak, then I amstrong.
11
I have becomefoolish; you yourselvescompelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in norespect was I inferior to the mosteminentapostles, eventhough I am a nobody.