1Boasting will exist, but there is no advantage in it, and I prefer to relate the visions and revelations of Adoneinu. 2I knew a man in Mashi’akh more than fourteen years ago, but whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know; Elohim knows; this very one was caught up to the third heaven. 3And I knew this same man, but whether in the body or whether out of the body, I cannot tell; Elohim knows, 4how that he was caught up to Paradise and heard unspeakable words, which it is not permissible for a man to utter. 5Of such a person, I will boast; but of myself, I will not boast, except in my weaknesses. 6But even if I should desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will tell the truth. But now I refrain, lest anyone should think more of me than what he sees me to be and what he hears from me, 7and lest I should be exalted through the abundance of the revelations. There was delivered to me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of HaSatan, to buffet me, lest I should be exalted. 8Three times I besought Adonai concerning this thing, that it might depart from me. 9And He said to me, “My compassion is sufficient for you; for in weakness my might is perfect.” Most gladly, therefore, I would rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Mashi’akh may rest upon me. 10Therefore, I am content with infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, and imprisonments, for the sake of Mashi’akh; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
11Behold, I am foolish to boast, but you have forced me; for you ought to have testified concerning me; for in no way am I less than those shlikhim who are highly honored, though I am nothing. 12The miracles which shlikhim have wrought I have wrought among you also in all patience, in signs, in wonders, and mighty deeds. 13For what do you lack that other congregations have, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this fault! 14Behold, this is the third time I am prepared to come to you; and I will not burden you; for I seek nothing from you but yourselves; for children are not under obligation to lay up treasure for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15I will gladly pay my expenses, and I will even give myself for the sake of your souls; though the more I love you, the less you love me. 16But be it so, I did not burden you; nevertheless as a shrewd man, I caught you with guile. 17Why? Did I extort anything from you by any of the men whom I sent to you? 18I requested Titus to visit you, and I sent brethren with him. Did Titus extort anything from you? Did we not walk in the same Ru’akh, and did we not walk in the same steps? 19Why? Do you still think we are apologizing? No! We speak before Elohim in Mashi’akh; and we do all these things, my beloved, for your edification. 20For I fear, lest when I come to you, I shall not find you such as I wish to find you, and that you also will not find me as you wish to find me, lest there be controversies, envyings, angers, stubbornness, accusations, slanderings, boastings and disorders. 21Perhaps when I come to you, my Elohim will humble me, and I will mourn over many who have sinned and who have not repented of the impurity, immorality, and lasciviousness which they have committed.
Coming Soon! We are working daily on translating the remainder of the Brit Khadashah from Aramaic to Hebrew. Check back soon for this chapter’s Hebrew version!