2 I know a man in Messiah who fourteen years ago – whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, Elohim 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, Elohim knows –
4 that he was caught up into Paradise and heard unspeakable words, which it is not right for a man to speak.
5 Of such a one I shall boast, but of myself I shall not boast, except in my weaknesses.
6 For if I shall wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for I shall speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think more of me than what he sees in me, or hears of me.
7 And to keep me from exalting myself because of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to hit me, to keep me from exalting myself.
8 Concerning this I pleaded with the Master three times to take it away from me.