3 I don't know if that man was in his body or out of it. Only God knows. But I do know that
4 he was taken up to paradise. He heard things that couldn't be put into words. They were things that people aren't allowed to talk about.
5 I will brag about a man like that. But I won't brag about myself. I will brag only about how weak I am.
6 Suppose I decide to brag. That would not make me a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I don't do it. Then no one will think more of me than he should because of what I do or say.
7 I could have become proud of myself because of the amazing and wonderful things God has shown me. So I was given a problem that caused pain in my body. It is a messenger from Satan to make me suffer.
8 Three times I begged the Lord to take it away from me.
9 But he said to me, "My grace is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak." So I am very happy to brag about how weak I am. Then Christ's power can rest on me.