2 Corinthians 1
1. Paul, the apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the will of God, and brother Timothy, to the church of God that is in Corinth, and to all the saints that are in all Achaia.
2. Grace be with you and peace from God our Father and Lord, Jesus Christ.
3. Blessed is the God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Father of Mercy and the God of all Benefaction,
4. Whose heart [goes out] to us through all tribulation, that we may also be able to [feel for] those who are going through tribulation, [to feel] that same love with which we are loved by God.
5. For whereas the sorrows of Christ increase in us, likewise through Christ increases also our love.
6. Even though we are under tribulation then, it is on behalf of His love, and we are going through tribulation for the sake of your life eternal. And if He loves us, it is because of you that we are loved, so you will strive to anticipate His sorrows, those over which we also sorrow.
7. And our hope for you is sincere. For we know if we share in His sorrow, you will also share in his love.
8. We wanted you to know, brethren, about the tribulation we encountered in Asia. It was truly great tribulation, more than our strength could bear, we almost lost our life.
9. And we commended our souls to die, so as not to be dependent on ourselves, except on the God who raises the dead.
10. He that delivered us from violent death? And again we preach the hope of His deliverance,
11. Through the aid of your prayers on our behalf, so that His gifts for us may be transformed into grace on behalf of many, and that many more should declare him on our behalf.
12. For this is our pride, that we have brought back the testimony of our faith* to the universe, by the genuineness, purity and grace of God, and not through the wisdom of our body, and moreover [with respect to you.]
13. I am not writing you of other matters, except those that you know about and also declare yourselves. I imagine, however, that you will declare them to the very end.
14. Whereas you have also declared more or less, that we are your pride, as you are ours on the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15. And through this recommendation I wished to come to you, so that you may receive grace many fold.
16. I will pass on from you to Macedonia, and again I shall come to you from Macedonia and you will escort me to Judea.
17. This that I have thus planned,* why, did I do this so as to vacillate? Or, why, did I plan these things according to the flesh? Because it is our duty to have our yes be yes and our no be no.
18. Faithful is that God whose Manifestation to you is not our yes and no.
19. For the Son of God is Jesus Christ, who preaches to you by our hand,* through me and Silvanus and Timothy; there is no yes and no with him, except there is just yes* in him.
20. For all the kingdoms of God are in him, He whose affirmation* is the Christ. Because of this, by His hand we are given Amen to God's glory.
21. He is God then that has sent us among you through Christ. He who anointed us,
22. And perfected* us and gave us the prize of the Spirit in our hearts.
23. I, however, testify concerning God on my own behalf,* it is because I did not wish to rebuke you that I did not come to Corinth.
24. It is not as if we are the masters of faith, except we are supporters of your joy. For it is through faith that you stand*.
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*1:12 Literal Aramaic (Lit. Ar.) figure of speech: "Outlook."
*1:17 Lit. Ar. figure of speech: "Perceived."
*1:19.1 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression retained: "Through us."
*1:19.2 Lit. Ar. figure of speech retained: "Only affirmation" or confirmation.
*1:20 Lit. Ar. figure of speech: "Yes."
*1:22 Lit. Ar. figure of speech: "Sealed."
*1:23 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Testify over my soul."
*1:24 Lit. Ar. idiom retained: "Live."
2 Corinthians 2
1. I judge this matter by myself, so I do not come to you in consternation.
2. For if I depress you, who will cheer me up but for the one whom I depressed?
3. And I am writing you this, so that when I come, you will not depress me, those whose duty was supposed to be in making me happy. I consider this regarding all of you, that this is all your happiness as well.
4. And out of great tribulation and loneliness of the heart, I write you these things with many tears. Not so as to depress you, except so that you may know of the great love I have for you.
5. If one of you is upset, however, they are not upset at me. Except more or less at all of you, so that the manifestation does not affect all of you.
6. However, there are enough indications from many people regarding him.*
7. And from now and henceforth it is the duty to forgive him and assuage his heart. So that it may not be that in his great depression he should swallow whoever is with him.
8. Because of this I pray that you sincerely express your love for him.
9. For, because of this I also wrote that I know through experience that you should hear the entire matter out.*
10. Then whoever you forgive, I too [shall forgive.] For I also, whatever I forgave, to whomever I forgave because of you, [I did so] through the personage of Christ.
11. So as Satan may not cheat us. For we know his pretensions.
12. When I came to Troas, however, professing Christ, the Lord opened the door for me.
13. I did not have rest in my spirit that the brethren did not find Titus, except I released* them and went out to Macedonia.
14. Give blessings then to God, that in every season he renews us in Christ, and reveals through us the scent of knowledge in every sense.
15. For we are a sweet scent through Christ before God, through the lives we live and the service we perform.
16. Those who smell of Death, proceed to Death, and those who smell of Life proceed to Life. And who sanctifies this for them?
17. For let us not be like most people who concoct words of God, except [let us do so] in the manner of truth and in the likeness of God, since we speak before God through Christ.
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*2:6 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "As such to him then signs from many," or, there is consensus against him.
*2:9 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "If with everything you are hearing."
*2:13 Lit. Ar. idiom retained: "Forgave."
2 Corinthians 3
1. Shall we begin again from the beginning to tell you who we are? Or, what, we need like the others a letter of introduction or that you should write one inviting us?
2. For our letter [of invitation] is you, that is written in our heart, and it is known and is readable by every human being.
3. For you know that you are the letter of Christ, whom we served, written not in ink, except by the Spirit of the Living God, not on a tablet of clay, except on the tablet of a heart of flesh.
4. Such then is the advocacy that we have through Christ toward God,
5. Though we may exhaust ourselves in recommending something like it is from ourselves, however our power is from God.
6. He that made us worthy of being ministers of the New Covenant, not through Scripture, except through Spirit. For Scripture kills*, the Spirit, however, resurrects.
7. If then the service of death was marked in writing on stone [tablets] and contained glory, whereas the children of Israel were not able to gaze at the visage of Moses because of the glory of his face, that which would be relieved,
8. How then is the ministry of the Spirit thus not more glorious?
9. For if there is glory in the ministration of accountability, how much greater is the glory in the ministration of holiness.
10. For as He also glorified that which was not glorified, through the [ministration of holiness] this glory is further increased.*
11 If that which will be nullified had glory, so much more the glory of that which is permanent.
12. Because as we have this Hope, indeed our Creator will be that much more revealed to us.
13. And not like Moses who cast the cowl over their eyes, so that the children of Israel should not gaze upon the fading [phenomenon] that was going to be nullified,
14. Except [he did it so] that they would not [even] be aware of it. For even until this day, when the Old Testament is read, that same cowl descends over them and so that it is [still] not revealed to them that it is Christ who nullifies it.
15. And until this day, when Moses is read, the cowl is cast over their hearts.
16. And when one of them returns to the Lord, the cowl is removed from that person.
17. The Lord then gives them the Spirit and the effect of the Spirit is liberation.
18. We, however, all of us with uncovered faces, we saw the glory of the Lord like a vision, and we became transformed to his likeness, from glory to glory, like the Spirit from the Lord.
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*3:6 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech retained: "Terminates."
*3:10 Lit. Ar. idiomatic construction: "For like that which neither glorified that which is glorified, by the supposition of this glory is increased."
2 Corinthians 4
1. We should not be egotistical, because of this service that we have assumed, like someone was being merciful to us.*
2. Except we should cast off the cowl of shame and not go backwards and we should not undercut the manifestation of God, except in the openness of truth we should show ourselves to all eyes of humanity before God.
3. And if our Revelation of God is eclipsed then, it is eclipsed only for those who are [headed] to oblivion.
4. Those whom God has blinded their cognition in this world, because they did not believe, whereas the glorious light of the Revelation of Christ who is the image of God did not shine on them.
5. For it was not about ourselves that we preach, except about the Christ Jesus our Lord, ourselves then, we are your servants because of Jesus.
6. Because God is the One Who said, "Let the light shine out of the darkness," He that shined in our hearts, that shined through the knowledge of God's glory in the image of Jesus Christ.
7. It is our duty to struggle then, as supremacy and the exercise of power is from God and not us.*
8. They have persecuted us, however, for everything, except they did not hang us. They beat us up, except they could not hold us in bondage.*
9. We were cast out, except we were not ignored. They assaulted us, except they could not destroy us.
10. For we have carried the dying of Jesus in our bodies, so that life everlasting through Jesus may also be revealed through us.
11. For if we have surrendered our lives to die on behalf of Jesus, likewise even Jesus's everlasting lives shall be revealed through our dying bodies.
12. Now death contends in us; and life everlasting in you.
13. Thus we also, as there is only one spirit of faith, as is written [in Scriptures,]
"You believe, because of this you also speak,"
we believed and because of this we also speak.
14. And we know that He who raised our Lord, shall also by the hand of Jesus raise us and bring us close to Him through you.
15. For everything is for your sake, so that grace should abound through many and devotion should flow to the glory of God.
16. Because of this we should not be self centered. For even though our external human nature is dying,* yet from inside it is being renewed from day to day.
17. For the tribulation of this age,* while it is [for our] grace, is small and brief, whereas the grace of everlasting life is much greater.*
18. So we should not be happy with the things that are visible, except with those that are invisible, what are visible then are temporary,* those that are invisible are forever.*
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*4:1 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Like mercies were upon us."
*4:7 Lit. Ar. idiomatic construction: "We have then this consecration through the vessel of struggle, that the lordship of power is from God and not from us."
*4:8 Lit. Ar. idiom: "Oblige us."
*4:16 Lit. Ar. figure of speech: "Corrupting."
*4:17.1 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Season."
*4:17.2 Lit. Ar. idiomatic construction: "Glory great, unconditional, to the universe of universes will grace us."
*4:18.1 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Seasonal."
*4:18.2 Lit. Ar. expression: "To the [end of the] universe."
2 Corinthians 5
1. For we know that our earthly dwelling place in this body may be unraveled, except we have a building from God -- a house not built by hands -- in heaven forever.*
2. Also over this we sigh and yearn* to take on our dwelling from heaven.
3. If not, whatever we wear here, we will end up naked.
4. For while we are in this dwelling, we sigh because of its pressures,* and yet we do not wish to divest ourselves of it, except we wish to take on something higher than it is, so that its dying [nature] is swallowed up by Life.
5. And He who destined us to this is God; He who gave us a share in his Spirit.
6. Because he knew us and has permitted us thus, that so long as we are in the flesh, we are cast out from our Lord.
7. Therefore, we walk in faith and not by sight.
8. Because of this we lift ourselves and endeavor to be cast out of this body and be with our Lord.
9. And we strive while we are inmates and inhabitants [in the flesh,] that we glorify* Him.*
10. For we are all destined to stand before the judgment podium of Christ, so that every person* should pay in the flesh according to their deeds whether benevolent or evil.
11. Because we thus understand our submission to the Lord, He permits us [to live] as human beings, while* revealing us to God. I expect that He also reveals us to your consciousness.
12. We are not once again glorifying ourselves, except it is the reason why we are proffering Him to you, so you may be proud of us [in the presence] of those who [show us] pride with their face, but not in their heart.
13. For if we are aggressive, it is toward God. And if we are constructive, it is to your benefit.
14. For the love of Christ forces us to think that way, that one person should die on behalf of another,* since everyone dies anyway.*
15. And he died for the sake of every human being, so as those who Live, they live not for their own self, except for the sake of the one who died and rose on their behalf.
16. Therefore, we do not know people in the flesh henceforth, and if we knew Christ in the flesh, we do not know him such now.
17. Whoever is of Christ, is new creation henceforth. His old self has passed away.
18. And everything that is renewed is from God, He who herded us to Himself through Christ, and who gave us the pastoral service.
19. For God is in Christ, who tends the universe with his Omnipotence, and who did not regard their sins and who consecrated in us the pastoral Manifestation.
20. Thus we are representatives on behalf of Christ, and as the God wants of you to be in our hand, for the sake of Christ He wants this, that you become God's flock.
21. For He that did not know sin, because of you committed sin, so that we may become in him God's holiness.*
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*5:1 Lit. Ar. expression: "To [the end of] the universe."
*5:2 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Grow old."
*5:9 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Adorn."
*5:10 Lit. Ar. id.: "...human, human."
*5:11 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "However."
*5:14.1 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "One for the sake of every human being die."
*5:14.2 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Since every human being dies himself."
*5:21 Lit. Ar. idiomatic construction retained: ..."committed sin" : rhetorical.
2 Corinthians 6
1. And as charitable people, I pray that you do not take for granted the grace of God which you have received.
2. For [Scripture] says,
"In proper season I answered you, and on the Day of Salvation* I helped you.
Behold, now is the proper season and, behold, now is the Day of Salvation."
3. Wherefore, do not hang on anyone* the excuse for stumbling, so that there may be no curse on our ministry.
4. That through that paradox our inner soul is revealed,* through that we are indeed the ministers of God, with profound Hope [in the Kingdom,] through tribulations, destitution, accidents,
5. Through tortures, incarceration, revolution, and troubled times, vigils and fasting,
6. By purity, knowledge, proffering of Spirit; joyfully, through the holy Spirit, with love that is not treacherous,
7. By true manifestation, by the power of God, through the excellence of sainthood on the right and on the left.
8. Through glory and dishonor,* through approbation and reproof, as deceivers and truthful,
9. As unknowns and yet they know us. As dead and, behold, we are Living. As they insulted us and [yet did not see] us dead.*
10. As we are embittered and yet we are happy in every season. As impoverished and yet we have enriched many. As if we had nothing, and yet we possess everything.
11. We have opened our mouth to you,* Corinthians, and our heart goes out to you.*
12. Do not agonize over us, however agonize over those with whom you intermarry.*
13. Then I speak to you as children, repay me for the agony you have caused me by extending your love to me.*
14. And do not marry unbelievers. For what marriage is that between the saint and the abominable? Or how does light intermingle with darkness?
15. Or what peace is there in Christ with Satan? Or what reliance is there for the believer on the unbeliever?
16. Then how does the temple of God co-exist with [the temple of] Satan? For you are the temple of the Living God, where it says [in Scriptures,]
"I shall dwell in them, and walk among them and be their God, and they shall become my people."
17. "Because of this, get out from in-between them, and separate from them, Said the Lord, and keep away from abomination, and I shall receive you."
18. "And I shall be your Father, and you shall be my sons and daughters, Said the Supreme Lord.
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*6:2 Lit. Ar. idiom: "Life."
*6:3 Lit. Ar. idiom: "Human being."
*6:4 Poetic license: "Except through everything shows our soul."
*6:8 Lit. Ar. idiom: "Curses."
*6:9 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression retained: "[Their insults] did not kill us."
*6:11.1 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression retained: "We have declared our intentions to you."
*6:11.2 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Our heart is extended."
*6:12 Lit. Ar. idiomatic construction: "Do not be oppressed by us, be oppressed then by your kindred."
*6:13 Lit. Ar. idiomatic construction: "...pay my throes [of pain] that with you, and extend your love with me.]
*6:18 Lit Aramaic: Double meaning: "The Lord of whomever He takes (or chooses.)"
2 Corinthians 7
1. And since we have these domains, my beloved, let us cleanse ourselves of all abomination of the flesh and spirit, and [let us] perform saintliness through total submission to God.
2. Proffer the Hope [of the Kingdom,] brethren, as we loath* no one,* corrupt no one,* and cheat no one.
3. It is not to constrain you that I say these things, for first of all I say you are in our hearts, that we may die and be resurrected [together] at once.
4. I have great regard* for you and much pride in you; I am full of courage and heartened by you, despite all my troubles.
5. Even though since we have arrived in Macedonia, our body has known no rest. Except, we have been in tribulation through everything, on the outside, fighting, and on the inside, surrendering.
6. Except God who loves the gentle, encourages* us by sending Titus.
7. And not only by sending him, except also by the peace* that he proffers through the One who abides* in you. For He manifests* the love that you have for us, and the concern* and devotion on our behalf. And as I heard of it, I was overjoyed.
8. Even though I depressed you with the Letter, I do not commend myself, even though [the Letter] is commendable. For I recognize that Letter, even though at the time* it depressed you,
9. Except it made me very happy, not because it depressed you, but because your depression brings you to grace. For you were depressed by the Godly, whereas you did not suffer any loss because of us.*
10. For depression because of God commends the soul toward repentance* and brings about rebirth.*
11. For, behold, this consternation that you felt because of God, how it has caused more struggle and outbursts of Spirit, contention,* submission, love, zeal and adherence. You have shown yourselves to be purified through that manifestation.*
12. However, this that I wrote you was neither because of the foolish one, nor about the foolishness that befell him, except that the struggle on your behalf may be known before God.
13. Because of this we are heartened, and our heart is overjoyed through the happiness of Titus, that he may find fellowship* among you.
14. So that his pride on your behalf does not turn to shame. Except just as in everything we spoke to you with earnestness, so also you will find our pride regarding Titus [to be in earnest.]
15. And also his kindness will be augmented toward you, as he will recall your obedience, as you receive him in submission and trembling.
16. I am delighted in every respect regarding you.*
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*7:2.1 Lit. Ar. id.: "Abominate."
*7:2.2 Lit. Ar. id.: "Human [being.]"
*7:2.3 Lit. Ar. id.: "Human [being.]"
*7:4 Lit. Ar. id.: "Intimacy."
*7:6 Lit. Ar. id.: "Heartens."
*7:7.1 Lit. Ar. id.: "Rest."
*7:7.2 Lit. Ar. id.: "Rests."
*7:7.3 Lit. Ar. id.: "Hopes."
*7:7.4 Lit. Ar. id.: "Crying."
*7:8 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "In its hour."
*7:9 Lit. Ar. idiomatic construction: "Otherwise with anything you did not lose from us."
*7:10.1 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Works that return not."
*7:10.2 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Repeats to Lives."
*7:11.1 Lit. Ar. id.: "Anger."
*7:11.2 Lit. Ar. id.: "Utterance," or phenomenon.
*7:13 Lit. Ar. id.: "Rest."
*7:16 Lit. Ar. expression: "Happy I am in everything I imagine over you."
2 Corinthians 8
1. We are then informing you, brethren, regarding the grace of God that is given for the churches in Macedonia.
2. That while caught up in great tribulation, this only increased their joy, and the depth of their poverty was surpassed by their simplicity.
3. For I am a witness that according to their strength, and even beyond their strength, they were pleased in themselves,
4. They entreated us with great earnestness that they may participate in the grace through the service for the saints.
5. And not as people who only hope,* except they submitted their souls beforehand to our Lord, and also to us according to the will of God.
6. That we entreat Titus, as He delivered him, that He may also instill in you this same grace.
7. Else how could you benefit from everything if not through faith and manifestation, and all knowledge, and in all your endeavors; and through our love for you, likewise you will benefit by that grace.
8. I am not ordering you for the sake of ordering you, except through your efforts on behalf of your friends, I am evaluating your love.
9. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who suffered loss because of you while becoming enriched, so that you may be enriched through his loss.
10. It is a message, however, that I convey to you,* which will help you, because from the start of the year you set off, not only for the sake of your satisfaction, except also out of self commitment.
11. Now, however, conclude by doing that which you desire, however you wish to contribute, so as to deliver the contribution out of what you have.
12. For if the willingness is there, one shall receive according to what they contribute,* not according to what they do not.
13. For it is not so that others should have it easy and you should have tribulation, except so that in this age there might be equality, so that your wealth may assuage their loss.
14. So that also their wealth may assuage your loss, so there is equality.
15. As it is written [in Scriptures,]
"He who earns much, does not become rich,
And he that makes less, does not become impoverished."
16. Give blessing to the God who has imbued this earnest effort on your behalf in the heart of Titus.
17. For He has accepted our prayers. And because of that grace [Titus] took time off and came out to help us of his own free will.
18. He sent, however, also our brother whose glory is through the Revelation of God.*
19. Thus that we may also elect a delegation* from the churches, so as they may come out with us through this grace that is ministered from us for His Godly glory and [the uplifting] of our hearts.
20. We are then united in this effort so that no one should criticize us due to this generosity.
21. For we have done our absolute best that we have not only presented that which is beautiful before God, but also before humanity.*
22. We send with them also, however, our brother who has endured much with us in every season, as he is tenacious. Now then he will try even harder on your behalf.
23. And if Titus thus [endeavors,] he is therefore my associate among you. And if our other brethren [do likewise, it is because] they are apostles of the church who are the glory of Christ.
24. Thus the revelation of your love and our pride in you, are expressed through Him in the presence* of all the churches.
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*8:5 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "And not like from that hopeful they be."
*8:10 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Message that I message you."
*8:12 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Like what he/she has, thus shall receive."
*8:18 Lit. Aramaic: "Aw'n-gallion," or "His Revelation."
*8:19 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Elect the elect."
*8:20 Lit. Ar. idiomatic construction: "United however in this, that no human being consecrate curse in this greatness served from us."
*8:21 Lit. Ar. idiomatic construction: "Cleared out for that beautiful, not before God alone, except also before human beings."
*8:24 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "By faces."
2 Corinthians 9
1. Regarding the ministration of the saints, there would be much if I were to write you.
2. For I know the goodness of your intentions. And because of that I am proud of you before the Macedonians, that Achaia was destined from the beginning of the year [to contribute,] and that your devoted ones would outdo themselves.*
3. I sent the brethren, however, so that the pride that I feel* for you is not found remiss through this gesture* regarding what I said about your goodness [of intentions.]
4. Lest not when the Macedonians should come with me and find you non-destined and then we may become embarrassed that we did not say it that you will be in [this position,] as we had said we were proud of you.*
5. Because of this I took the time* to ask my brethren here to come to you ahead of me and receive the blessings, those which you heard from the beginning were from grace, therefore like a blessing, not like they had to be.
6. This then, whoever sows grudgingly, shall also reap grudgingly. And whoever plants blessings, shall also reap blessings,
7. Each human being according to their intentions. Not as though out of dire necessity or destitution. For God is merciful upon the cheerful giver.
8. For as it is all in the hands of God, with every blessing that He adds to you, so that in every season, in everything, He provides for you whatever you need and you will benefit through every blessed act.
9. As is written [in Scriptures,]
"He scatters and gives to the poor, and His holiness rises forever."
10. He who gives the seed for sowing and the bread for eating, He who provides your seed and grows the fruit of your righteousness.
11. So as you may be enriched in every way, so that Faith in God may be developed by our hand in all simplicity.
12. Because the performance of this service is not only fulfilling the needs of the saints, except also the appreciation of God through Faith.
13. Because the upshot of this service is that we are glorifying Christ, in that you are confirmed in devotion to the Faith of preaching Christ, and you are in line as you associate with them and every human being.
14. And they offered prayers on your behalf with great love, because of the great blessings of God which are upon you.
15. Give blessings to God then for this incredible* gift.
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*9:2 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "For many they must."
*9:3.1 Lit. Ar. expression: "The pride in which I prided myself."
*9:3.2 Lit. Ar. id.: "Utterance."
*9:4 Note: This embarrassment is not over money, but over the presence of the man who is living with his step mother as wife. The Second Letter to the Corinthians is primarily about this also.
*9:15 Lit. Ar. expression: "Cannot be spoken of."
2 Corinthians 10
1. I, Paul, beg you then,* in peace and gentleness of Christ, that even though when face to face, I am gentle with you, except when from afar I am still concerned for you.
2. I beg you then, so when I come I do not get depressed by this concern I have for you, as it saddens me to notice people that perceive us as walking in the flesh.
3. For even though we walk in the flesh, except we do not do our work through the flesh.
4. For the excellence of our work is not through the flesh, except by the power of God, and through it we capture the entrenched conquests.*
5. And we unravel pretensions and every greatness that rises against the knowledge of God, and we lay open all our senses to obeying Christ.
6. And we are blessed to perform that devotion, apart from those that did not obey, until their obedience has been made manifest.
7. Do you gaze into people's faces? If a human being imagines themselves belonging to Christ, they will understand of themselves that they belong to Christ, likewise we also.
8. For if I am moreover proud of the authority that our Lord has give me, I am not embarrassed, because it is to build you up and not to tear you down.
9. I hope then that I am not preaching to you as one who is [trying to bring you into submission] through his letter.
10. For there are people that say that the Letters are heavy and oppressive, his presence however is brief and his word is difficult to keep.
11. Except this depends on their point of view, whereas we may seem as distant through the words of the Letter, but we are nevertheless closer through our deeds.
12. For we do not presume or pretend ourselves to be among the proud. Except those who delude themselves do not [see themselves] as being foolish.
13. We, however, are not proud beyond measure, except according to the measure of character that God has doled out to us, so as we may even impart* some to you.
14. For it is not like we would betray ourselves if we did not get to you. For we have already reached you with the Hope in Christ.
15. And we are not proud beyond measure as a result of others behavior,* except we are hopeful as your faith grows, your [character] develops according to our expectations.*
16. And it develops also until you too preach [the Kingdom,] not according to the expectations of others, thus we shall be proud of those gains also.
17. For whoever is proud, is proud in the Lord.*
18. For it is not he that glorifies himself that prevails, except they who are glorified by the Lord.
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*10:1 Paul returns to the theme of the Letter, namely the ouster of the corrupt man in the church. Nothing can be achieved until he is out of the congregation.
*10:9 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "By submission submitting you."
*10:13 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Reach out [with some] even to you."
*10:15.1 Lit. Ar. expression: "By the works of others."
*10:15.2 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Measure."
*10:17 Lit. Ar. expression: "They, however, that are proud, by the Lord are proud." True pride is pride in the Lord.
2 Corinthians 11
1. I hope you will allow me a certain intimacy. Except you wish the same of me.*
2. For I seek for you then the zealousness of God, for you should yoke* the man to a pure virgin so he will be closer to Christ.
3. I fear then that just as darkness cast its shadows over Eve in her betrayal, likewise your consciousness may become corrupted away from openness with Christ.
4. For if someone comes to you preaching another Eashoa,* that whom we did not preach, or speak of another faith that you did not receive, it is nice if you [remain steadfast] in your own Faith.
5. For I consider that we are not remiss in anything compared to those apostles that are well-blessed.
6. For even though I am bleak in my words, except not in my knowledge. Except always we have revealed everything to you.
7. Or why then did I make an utter fool of myself,* meekly, if not so that you may be exalted and thus I freely preached to you the hope [of the Kingdom] of God,
8. And squeezed other churches and placed* their contributions in your service.
9. And when I came to help you at my own expense, I did not burden a single one of you.* For my needs were met by the brethren from Macedonia. And through everything I took care of myself,* and remained faithful,* so as not to be a burden on you.
10. Christ's truth was given to me so that this pride may not be lost to me* in the lands* of Achaia.
11. Why, because I do not love you? God knows I do.
12. Except this that I do, I also do so as to strike down the excuse of those who are [looking for] excuses, so as that which they pride themselves with, they find among us.
13. For they become those false apostles and slaves of treachery, and they try to impersonate the apostles of Christ.
14. And it is no wonder. For if Satan looks like the angel of fire,*
15. It is not so unutterable if his ministers also look like the servants of righteousness, whose judgment* will be according to their works.
16. Again, I say, why do people expect me to be a fool, and if not, at least receive me as a fool so I too can be proud.
17. The things that I speak of, I am not speaking of according to our Lord, except hypothetically, in this context of pride.
18. Because most people are proud in the flesh, and so am I,
19. For you are content listening to those lacking in judgment, while you are wise.
20. And you condemn whoever enslaves you, cheats you, rises above you and strikes you across the face.*
21. Like a curse, I am telling you, like we imagine him to be, I am speaking about lack of wisdom, regarding anything a person dares to do, I also dare.
22. Whether he is Hebrew, so am I, if Israelite, so am I, if of the seed of Abraham, so am I.
23. Whether a minister of Christ, whilst lacking wisdom, I say, I am more [of a servant] than him. In calamities, beatings, imprisonment, deaths many times* more.
24. I endured five years of this at the hands of the Jews, many times; I barely managed to escape the last time.*
25. Three times* I was given* the rod, one time I was stoned, three times I was tossed up at sea, day and night I floated with no ship in sight.
26. On many a road, across perilous rivers, from the hazards of the military, insecurity because of my lineage, the instability of nations, where I have been defenseless in the cities, helpless in the wilderness, vulnerable at sea, and in danger of being exposed by the brethren.
27. In labors and troubles, through many vigils, during famines and droughts, through many fasts, while threadbare and naked,
28. There are so many impositions upon me, and from the gatherings that every day rely on me for favors on behalf of all the churches.
29. Who gets sick without me getting sick? Who gets into trouble without me getting burned?
30. If solemn oaths should be a matter of pride, then I am proud in my sickness.
31. As He knows, my Father Our Lord Jesus Christ, blessed to [the end of] the universe of all universes, that I do not lie.
32. At Damascus, the commander of the army of King Aretas, dispatched the guards of the city of Damascus to seize me,
33. And they lowered me from the window down the wall and I escaped from their hands.
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*11:1 Every passage is directed toward the man who has taken his stepmother as wife.
*11:2 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Load."
*11:4 Lit. Aramaic name: "Life-giving, Living Branch," or "Savior." Jesus in English.
*11:7 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Foolishly fooled myself."
*11:8 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Planted."
*11:9.1 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Not a human being from you."
*11:9.2 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Guarded myself."
*11:9.3 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "I guarded."
*11:9.4 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Canceled in me."
*11:9.5 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Countries."
*11:14 Lit. Ar. id.: also, "light."
*11:15 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "End."
*11:20.1 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Eats," or "devours."
*11:20.2 Lit. Ar. expression retained: "Rebukes you," or: puts you down.
*11:23 Lit. Ar. id.: "Seasons."
*11:24 Lit. Ar. idiomatic construction: "From Jews five seasons, forty forty, lose one I swallowed."
*11:25.1 Lit. Ar. id.: "Seasons."
*11:25.2 Lit. Ar. id.: "Tortured by..."
2 Corinthians 12
1. So let us be proud of solemn oaths, except let us not be bursting with them. For I am coming to you with visions and revelations of our Lord.
2. I knew a man through Christ for fourteen years, (whether through the flesh, however, or not, I do not know, God only knows,) that he would struggle here until heaven's revenge.
3. And I knew this man, however whether through the flesh or not, only God knows,
4. He was taken up to paradise and he heard words that cannot be spoken of, those that are not permissible for a human being to utter.*
5. Regarding him I am proud; regarding myself, however, I am not proud, except for my afflictions.
6. If I wish to be proud, it is not [due to] my ambition. For I speak the truth. [Heaven] forbid, however, that no human being should regard me more than what they see or what they hear from me.
7. And so as not to get elated by the abundance of revelations given me, I was handed this thorn in the flesh,* an angel of Satan, to keep me from abandoning my faith.*
8. And over this I prayed to my Lord to rid me of him,
9. And He told me, "My grace is all you need. For my power is developed through illness." Thus I am gladly proud of my tribulations,* that the power of Christ may descend upon me.
10. Because of this I am pleased* with my afflictions and curse, rejections and tribulation, and turmoil, on behalf of Christ. For when I am thus afflicted, I am formidable.
11. Behold, I have been lacking in judgment through this pride that I have [allowed myself] to be constrained by you. For you should be obliged to give testimony regarding me. For I am no less than the apostles who do so much, even though I may be nothing [in comparison.]
12. I performed the miracles of the apostles among you through each and every testimony,* heroically, amazingly and through the powers [vouchsafed me.]
13. In what way are you the lesser among the churches, except in this, that I have no sway with you. Allow me this foolishness then.*
14. Behold, it has been three years that I wished to come to you, but I have not been able to bring myself to do it,* because I do not want what you have, except I want you to have what I have.* For the children are not obliged to consecrate the parents,* except it is the parents that consecrate the children.
15. I would gladly do the ousting,* however, and even lay down my life on your behalf,* even though the more I love you, the less you love me.
16. And although I did not have any sway with you [regarding this matter,] except as a muddling man I caught* you in your treason.
17. Why, did I keep an eye on you through other people that I sent to you?
18. When I asked Titus and sent him along with the brethren. Why, did Titus regard you differently in any way? Did we not walk in one Spirit and in each other's footsteps?
19. Why, did you think that we would vouchsafe you the Spirit again? It was before God that we granted* you [the Spirit the first time.] And all these, my beloved, for the sake of building you up.
20. For I am afraid that whence I come to you and not find you as I wish, that you will find me also somewhat not as you wish. Hence, there may be mud slinging, envy, grudges, impasse, deviltry, bitter complaints, favoritism and turmoil.
21. [Hopefully] I will not be softened up by my God when I come to you. And [I end up] lamenting over the many who sinned and did not repent from demonic acts, fornication and from lascivious behavior.
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*4:4 Reference to John the Apostle and Revelation.
*4:7.1 Lit. Ar. expression retained: "Thorn in the side," reference to the corrupt leader, the subject of the Letter.
*4:7.2 Lit. Ar. idiomatic construction: "To beat me [over the head] so I will not rise [too high.]
*4:9 Lit. Ar. id.: "Sicknesses."
*12:10 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: " Satisfied."
*12:12 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Preaching the Hope [of the Kingdom.]"
*12:13 Calling for the ouster of the corrupt church leader once again.
*12:14.1 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Could not tear myself over you." Or: tear myself away to see you.
*12:14.2 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Because I do not pray [for] yours, except for you."
*12:14.3 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Consecrate the consecration."
*12:15.1 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Oustings oust."
*12:15.2 Lit. Ar. idiomatic construction: "And also q'numee I give over the faces of your souls." The word "q'nu-mah," theologically, exists only in ancient Aramaic. There are three q'nu-meh" with reference to God, the Father, Christ and the Holy Spirit, each q'nu-mah is one of the three Essences of the Trinity. "Essences" itself is not a proper translation, only a rough approximation. The triune "Q'nu-meh" of the one Father-Son-Holy Spirit, is the Trinity.
*12:16 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Stole."
*12:19 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Bespoke."
2 Corinthians 13
1. These are three seasons that I have desired to come to you, so that every word is backed* by two or three testimonies.
2. I have been telling you for a long time, and from the first I told you, just like I told you the two seasons I was with you, even now as I am away, I am writing you, to those that sinned and to all the others, that if I come again, it is not to berate you.
3. This because you want confirmation that Christ is speaking through me, He whom is not strengthened in you, except He who [nevertheless] is formidable in you.
4. For even though he was crucified forcibly, except he was resurrected by his Godly power. We are also forced alongside of him, except we live with him by the power of God that is in you.
5. Your soul will be fortified, if you hold fast in Him through faith. Your soul will be healed, or did you not realize that He, Jesus Christ, is in you? And if not, you are deficient.
6. I expect then that you know we cannot be denigrated.
7. I pray then to God that no evil may befall you, as what we hold* becomes apparent, except that you may receive blessings and we may, as though, be denigrated.
8. For we cannot do anything in opposition to loyalty, except on behalf of loyalty.
9. We are glad then when we are afflicted and you are well. Thus we also pray that you may become mature.
10. Because of this I wrote to you while away, so that when I come I do not have to impose on you according to the authority my Lord has given me, this to build you up and not to tear you down.
11. Therefore, brethren, be happy, mature, and love one another, and there will be unity and peace among you, and the God of love and peace will be with you.
12. And say shalom to each other with a holy kiss. All the saints are saying shalom to you.
13. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ and His Godly love and the endowment of the holy Spirit be with you all, amen.____________________
(The end of the Second Letter to the Corinthians, that was written from Philippi of Macedonia.)
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*13:1 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Mouthed," declared, as in second or third time.
*13:7 Lit. Ar. idiom retained: "Our charges."
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