2 I knew a man in Christ over fourteen years ago—whether in the body or out of the body I cannot tell, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I knew that such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I cannot tell, God knows—
4 was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible words not permitted for a man to say.
5 Of such a person, I will boast. Yet of myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.
6 For if I desire to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But now I resist, lest anyone should think of me above that which he sees me to be or hears from me.
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me, lest I be exalted above measure.
8 I asked the Lord three times that this thing might depart from me.