19th Sunday after Pentecost
2 Cor 11: 31-12:9

A reading - from the second letter of St. Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians

Brothers and sisters: the God and Father of the Lord Jesus knows - blessed be he forever - that I do not lie. In Damascus the ethnarch of King Artas (Ar-eh-tas) was keeping a close watch on the city in order to arrest me, but I was lowered in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped | his | hands.

I must go on boasting, however useless it may be, and speak of visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who, fourteen years ago, whether he was in or outside his body I cannot say, only God can say - a man who was snatched up to the | third | heaven.

I know that this man - whether in or outside his body I do not know. God knows - was snatched up to Paradise to hear words which cannot be uttered, words which no man | may | speak.

About this man I will boast; but I will do no boasting about myself unless it be about my | weak|nesses.

And even if I were to boast it would not be folly in me because I would only be telling the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone think more of me than what he sees in me or hears from | my | lips.

As to the extraordinary revelations, in order that I might not become conceited I was given a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan to beat me and keep me from get|ting | proud.

Three times I begged the Lord that this might leave me. He said to me, "My grace is enough for you, for in weakness power reaches | per|fection."

And so I willingly boast of my weakness instead, that the power of Christ may rest - upon - me.