I might boast, but it is not expedient; for I come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew 9 a man in the Meshiha fourteen years ago,1-whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not, Aloha himself knoweth, -who, this one himself, was rapt unto the third [region] of heaven.2 And I know this man himself,-but whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not, Aloha himself knoweth,-and he was rapt into paradise, and heard words which are not uttered, those which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of this I boast; but of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. Yet if I willed to boast, I should not be a fool, for I say the truth; but I spare, lest any one think of me beyond that which he seeth me (to be), and what he heareth of me. And that I might not be exalted by the abundance of revelations, there was delivered to me a stimulus of my flesh, an angel of Satana to buffet me, that I might not be exalted. Concerning this three times I entreated of my Lord that it might be removed from me. And he said to me, My grace sufficeth thee; for my power in weakness is perfected. Gladly therefore will I boast in my infirmities, that the power of the Meshiha may overshadow me. For this cause I am willing in infirmities, in reviling, in affliction, in persecutions, in distresses, for the sake of the Meshiha; for when I am weak, then am I strong. Behold, I have been deficient in mind in my boasting, because you have constrained me; for you were debtors to bear witness concerning me; because in nothing am I less than those apostles who are the most eminent, nevertheless I am not any thing.
The signs of the apostles I have wrought among you in all patience, and with mighty acts and miracles and with powers. For in what have you been less than the other churches, except in this, that I have not burdened you? Forgive me this offence.
Behold, this is three times that I prepare to come to you, and not to burden you; for I seek not yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up treasures for the parents, but the parents for their children. But I gladly the expenses will spend, and also myself will I give for the sake of your souls: though, while the more I love you, you the less love me. And, perhaps, (though) I did not burden you, yet (it may be said), as a crafty man with deceit I have robbed you. By any other whom I have sent to you have I made prey of you? Of Titos I requested, and sent with him the brethren.3 In any thing has Titos made prey of you ? Have we not walked in one spirit, and in the same steps?
XIX. 12:19
DO you again consider that we apologize to you ? Before Aloha in the Meshiha do we speak; and all, my beloved, for the sake of your up-building. For I fear lest, when I come to you, I should not find you as I wish, but should find you what you would not wish: lest there be contention and envy, and wrath and angry talk, and accusations and murmurings, and pompousness and agitation: and lest, when I come to you, my God may humiliate me, and I may have to lament over many who have sinned, and have not repented of the uncleanness and of the fornication and of the lasciviousness which they have committed.
9 Yodano, " knowing."
1 Men kedom, "from before fourteen years."
2 The third of heaven.
3 The Polyglot editions read, " a brother."
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