2 corinthians 12 (NMV)
1 Boasting is necessary, though it is not beneficial, but I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.
2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body, I don't know, God knows.
3 And I know that this man, whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows,
4 was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, things that no human is permitted to speak.
5 I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.
6 For if I want to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I refrain, so that no one will think more of me than what he sees in me or hears from me,
7 or because of the extraordinary nature of the revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from exalting myself.
8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me.
9 But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness." Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more in my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
11 I have become foolish, you forced me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, since I am in no way inferior to those "super-apostles," even though I am nothing.
12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with great endurance, signs, wonders, and miracles.
13 For in what way were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me for this wrong!
14 Look, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be a burden, because I am not seeking what is yours, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
16 But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Yet some say I was crafty and took you in by deceit.
17 Did I take advantage of you through any of those I sent to you?
18 I urged Titus to go, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Didn't we walk in the same spirit and follow the same steps?
19 Have you been thinking all along that we are defending ourselves to you? No, in the sight of God, we are speaking in Christ. Everything, dear friends, is for building you up.
20 For I fear that when I come, I may not find you as I want, and that you may not find me as you want. I fear there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.
21 I fear that when I come again, my God may humble me before you, and I may grieve over many who previously sinned and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and unrestrained immorality they practiced.