(II) LETTER TO KEHILLAH IN CORINTH 12
1
It is necessary for me to boast, nothing gained by it, yet I now come to marot (visions) and chazonot (revelations) of Adoneinu.
2
I have da'as of a man in Moshiach arba esreh shanah (fourteen years) before, whether in or out of the basar I do not have da'as, Hashem knows — such a man was snatched up and raptured to the raki'a haShlishi of Shomayim.
3
And I have da'as that such a man, whether in or out of the basar I do not have da'as, Hashem knows,
4
That he was caught away into Gan-Eden and heard inexpressible devarim which to utter such words Bnei Adam have no heter (permit).
5
On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on behalf of myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.
1
Notes
+
2C 11:30
6
But if I desire to boast, I will not be a yold (fool) for I will speak HaEmes; but I spare you, lest anyone gives me credit beyond what he sees in me or hears in me.
1
Notes
+
2C 10:8; 11:16
7
Therefore, lest I should be too exalted especially by the excess of my chazonot, there was given to me a kotz (thorn, splinter) in my basar, a malach of HaSatan, for the purpose of using his fists on me, lest I should be too exalted.
2
Notes
+
Job 2:6
+
Num 33:55
8
I davened shalosh pe'amim, calling upon Adoneinu that it might depart from me.
9
And HaAdon said to me, “My Chesed is ad kahn (sufficient for the purpose, enough) for you, for My ko'ach (power) is perfected in weakness.” With lev samei'ach therefore will I boast in my weaknesses that the gevurah of Moshiach might be a shelter over me.
1
Notes
+
1Kgs 19:12
10
Therefore, I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in tzoros on behalf of Moshiach; for whenever I am weak, then the gibbor (strong man) am I!
1
Notes
+
Pp 4:11,13
11
I have been a yold! You forced me. For I ought to be commended by you, for in nothing I was behind the most groise (eminent) Shlichim, even if I am nothing.
1
Notes
+
2C 11:5
12
Indeed the otot (signs) of the Shliach of Moshiach were brought about among you in all savlanut (patience), both by otot and moftim and gevurot.
1
Notes
+
Ro 15:19
13
For in what have you been short-changed compared to the rest of Moshiachʼs Kehillot, except that I myself was not a burden on you? Do pardon me this slight!
1
Notes
+
2C 11:9
14
Hinei, this is the pa'am shlishit I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden; for I seek not yours but you, for yeladim ought not to lay up for their horim (parents), but horim for their yeladim.
2
Notes
+
2C 13:1
+
Prov 19:14
15
But with simcha I will expend and be utterly expended for the nefashot (souls) of you. If more abundantly I have ahavah for you, are you to have less ahavah for me?
1
Notes
+
Pp 2:17
16
But let the matter of my being a burden on you be as it may, some say, “Crafty jack that I am, I took you by ormah (cunning).”
1
Notes
+
Gn 3:1
17
Now I didn't take advantage of any of you through anyone I sent to you, did I?
18
I urged Titos to go, and I sent with him the Ach b'Moshiach; Titos didn't take advantage of you, did he? Did we not walk our derech by the same Ruach Hakodesh? We did not march out of step, did Titos and I?
1
Notes
+
2C 8:6,16-18
19
All along have you been thinking that we are making a hitstaddekut (defense, apology) before you? No, before Hashem in Moshiach we speak! Everything we do, Chaverim, is for the sake of your chozek (strength) and edification!
20
For I fear lest efsher (perhaps) when I come I may not find you as I wish and that you may not find me as you wish; I fear lest efsher there be merivah (strife), kinah (jealousy), ka'as (anger), machalokot (divisions), lashon hora (evil speech), ga'avah (conceit), commotions;
1
Notes
+
2C 2:1-4
21
Lest when I come again Hashem Elohai may make me anav (humble) before you, and I should have agmat nefesh over many of the ones who committed averos before, and have not made teshuva from the tumah (uncleanness) and zenut (fornication) and debauchery which they practiced.
1
Notes
+
2C 13:2