Study Desk

^(a)Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and ^(b)revelations ^[a]of the Lord.

I know a man ^(c)in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, ^(d)God knows—such a man was ^(e)caught up to the ^(f)third heaven.

And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, ^(g)God knows—

was ^(h)caught up into ⁽ⁱ⁾Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.

^(j)On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my ^(k)weaknesses.

For if I do wish to boast I will not be ^(l)foolish, ^(m)for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.

Because of the surpassing greatness of the ⁽ⁿ⁾revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a ^(o)thorn in the flesh, a ^(p)messenger of Satan to ^[b]torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!

Concerning this I implored the Lord ^(q)three times that it might leave me.

And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for ^(r)power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather ^(s)boast ^[c]about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

Therefore ^(t)I am well content with weaknesses, with ^[d]insults, with ^(u)distresses, with ^(v)persecutions, with ^(w)difficulties, ^(x)for Christ's sake; for ^(y)when I am weak, then I am strong.