³¹

The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.

³²

In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me;

³³

but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.

¹

It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord:

²

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago-whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows-such a one was caught up to the third heaven.

³

And I know such a man-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-

⁴

how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

⁵

Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities.

⁶

For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.

⁷

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.

⁸

Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

⁹

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.