1Chapter 5 — I will not teach you profound doctrines.
2Am I not able to write to you of heavenly things? But I fear to do so, lest I should inflict injury on you who are but babes in Christ.
3Pardon me in this respect, lest, as not being able to receive such doctrines, ye should be strangled by them.
4For even I, though I am bound for Christ, yet am not on that account able to understand heavenly things, and the places of the angels, and their gatherings under their respective princes, things visible and invisible.
5Without reference to such abstruse subjects, I am still but a learner in other respects; for many things are wanting to us, that we come not short of God.
6For might not I write to you things more full of mystery? But I fear to do so, lest I should inflict injury on you who are but babes in Christ.
7Pardon me in this respect, lest, as not being able to receive their weighty import, ye should be strangled by them.
8For even I, though I am bound for Christ, and am able to understand heavenly things, the angelic orders, and the different sorts of angels and hosts, the distinctions between powers and dominions, and the diversities between thrones and authorities, the mightiness of the aeons, and the pre-eminence of the cherubim and seraphim, the sublimity of the spirit, the kingdom of the Lord, and above all, the incomparable majesty of Almighty God—though I am acquainted with these things, yet am I not therefore by any means perfect; nor am I such a disciple as Paul or Peter.
9For many things are yet wanting to me, that I may not fall short of God.