Therefore lest I be puffed-up-with-pride,
a thorn in the flesh was given to me,
…. a messenger sent by (of) Satan
…. so that I might be tormented,
so that I would not be puffed-up-with-pride.
Concerning this
three times I pleaded with the Lord,
that it might withdraw from me.
Yet he said to me:
‘Sufficient for you (is) my grace,
for (my) power, in weakness, is made perfect.
Therefore
I will most gladly boast
all the more
about (in) my weaknesses,
so that the power of Christ
might rest upon me.
Therefore
I am content
in weakness
in insults
in hardships
in persecutions
and in difficulties
for the sake of Christ.
For when I am weak,
then I am strong.
Keep us, O Lord, while we tarry on this earth,
in a serious seeking after thee,
and in an affectionate walking with thee,
every day of our lives;
that when thou comest,
we may be found not hiding our talent,
nor yet asleep with our lamp unfurnished,
but waiting and longing for our Lord,
our glorious King, for ever and ever.
Richard Baxter (1615-1691)