e.g. the visit to Paradise, are repeated. This means that the author is combining different sources in a very unintelligent way.
In the Greek, Latin, and Syriac the book is incomplete: it ends abruptly in a speech of Elijah. The Coptic version—only recently published—has a long continuation; part of this is, I think, original, but it tails off into matter which cannot be. This conclusion has even a third visit to Paradise! I give some particulars of it later.
The plan of the book is briefly this:
1,2. Discovery of the revelation.
3-6. Appeal of creation to God against man.
7-10. The report of the angels to God about men.
11-18. Deaths and judgements of the righteous and the wicked.
19-30. First vision of Paradise.
31-44. Hell. Paul obtains rest on Sunday for the lost.
45-51. Second vision of Paradise.
The full Latin version is the basis of my translation: the Greek, Syriac, and Coptic are used where the Latin is corrupt.
Here beginneth the Vision of Saint Paul the Apostle.
But I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew 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—that such an one was caught up unto the third heaven: and I knew such a man, whether in the body or out of the body I know not—God knoweth—that he was caught up into paradise and heard secret words which it is not lawful for men to utter. For such an one will I boast, but for myself I will boast nothing, save of mine infirmities.
1 At what time was it made manifest?[1] In the consulate of Theodosius Augustus the younger and Cynegius, a certain honourable man then dwelling at Tarsus, in the house which had been the house of Saint Paul, an angel appeared unto him by night and gave him a revelation, saying that he should break up the foundation of the house and publish that which he found; but he thought this to be a lying vision. 2 But a third time the angel came, and scourged him and compelled him to break up the foundation. And he dug, and found a box of marble inscribed upon the sides : therein was the revelation of Saint Paul, and his shoes wherein he walked when he taught the word of God. But he feared to open that box, and brought it to the judge; and the judge took it, sealed as it was with lead, and sent it to the emperor Theodosius, fearing that it might be somewhat strange; and the emperor when he received it, opened it and found the revelation of Saint Paul. A copy thereof he sent to Jerusalem and the original he kept with him. (Gr. reverses this: he kept the copy and sent away the original. It adds: And there was written therein as followeth.)
3 Now while I was in the body, wherein I was caught up unto the third heaven, the word of the Lord came unto me, saying: Speak unto this people: How long will ye transgress, and add
- ↑ Syr. puts the story of the discovery at the end of the book.
