2 Corinthians 12:2-7

New American Standard Bible

² I know a man ^(A)in Christ, who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, ^(B)God knows—such a man was ^(C)caught up to the ^(D)third heaven. ³ And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, ^(E)God knows— ⁴ was ^(F)caught up into ^(G)Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. ^5 (H)In behalf of such a man I will boast; but in my own behalf I will not boast, except regarding my ^(I)weaknesses. ⁶ For if I do wish to boast I will not be ^(J)foolish, ^(K)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.

A Thorn in the Flesh

⁷ Because of the extraordinary greatness of the ^(L)revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a ^(M)thorn in the flesh, a ^(N)messenger of Satan to ^[a]torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!