How that he was taken up into [a]Paradise, and heard words which [b]cannot be spoken, which are not [c]possible for man to utter.

[d]Of such a man will I rejoice: of myself will I not rejoice, except it be of mine infirmities.

For though I would rejoice, I should not be a fool, for I will say the truth: but I refrain, lest any man should think of me above that he seeth in me, or that he heareth of me.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 12:4 So the Grecians name that which we call a park, that is to say, a place where trees are planted, and wild beasts kept, by which name they that translated the old Testament out of the Hebrew into Greek, called the garden Eden, whereunto Adam was put straight after his creation, as a most delicate and pleasant place. And hereunto grew it, that that blessed seat of the glory of God is called by that name.
  2. 2 Corinthians 12:4 Which no man is able to utter.
  3. 2 Corinthians 12:4 Which the Saints themselves are not by any means able to express, because it is God himself. Thus doth Clement Alexandria expound this place, Strom. 5.
  4. 2 Corinthians 12:5 To remove all suspicion of ambition he witnesseth that he braggeth not of those things as his own, but as out of himself, and yet notwithstanding faineth nothing, lest by this occasion other men should attribute more unto him than indeed he is: and therefore he had rather glory in his miseries.

was caught up(A) to paradise(B) and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.(C) Even if I should choose to boast,(D) I would not be a fool,(E) because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say,

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