American Standard Version of 1901
Versliste
at midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them that journeyed with me.
I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to the third heaven.
And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth),
how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me; {Hebrw: thou hast added wisdom and goodness to the fame.}thy wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame which I heard.
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, who would make a reckoning with his {Greek: bondservants.}servants.
for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.
Wherefore, receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have {Or, thankfulness Compare 1 Corinthians 10:30.}grace, whereby we may offer service well-pleasing to God with {Or, godly fear Compare chapter 5:7.}reverence and awe:
For we have not here an abiding city, but we seek after the city which is to come.
And the twelve {Greek: portals.}gates were twelve pearls; each one of the several {Greek: portals.}gates was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, {Or, transparent as glass}as it were transparent glass.
But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother.
Jesus saith to her, {Greek: Take not hold on me}Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended unto the Father: but go unto my brethren, and say to them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and my God and your God.
how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own.
And if indeed they had been mindful of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.
But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.
There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God.
Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, {Or, and to innumerable hosts, the general assembly of angels, and the church &c.}and to {Greek: myriads of angels.}innumerable hosts of angels,