2 Corinthians 13

1 This is the third time I am coming to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”

This is the third time that I am coming to you. From the mouth of two or three witnesses will every word be made certain.

2 I already warned you the second time I was with you. So now in my absence I warn those who sinned earlier and everyone else: If I return, I will not spare anyone,

I said before, and still say it before I come, as being present for the second time, though I am still away from you, to those who have done wrong before, and to all the others, that if I come again I will not have pity;

3 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.

Seeing that you are looking for a sign of Christ giving out his word in me; who is not feeble in relation to you, but is strong in you:

4 For He was indeed crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. And though we are weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him to serve you.

For he was feeble in that he was put to death on the cross, but he is living by the power of God. And we are feeble in him, but we will be living with him through the power of God in relation to you.

5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test?

Make a test of yourselves, if you are in the faith; make certain of yourselves. Or are you not conscious in yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you, if you are truly Christ's?

6 And I hope you will realize that we have not failed the test.

But it is my hope that you will have no doubt that we are truly Christ's.

7 Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not that we will appear to have stood the test, but that you will do what is right, even if we appear to have failed.

Now our prayer to God is that you may do no evil; not in order that it may be put to our credit, but so that you may do what is right, whatever we may seem.

8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

Because we are able to do nothing against what is true, but only for it.

9 In fact, we rejoice when we are weak but you are strong, and our prayer is for your perfection.

For we are glad when we are feeble and you are strong: and this is our prayer, even that you may be made complete.

10 This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.

For this cause I am writing these things while I am away, so that there may be need for me, when I am present, to make use of sharp measures, by the authority which the Lord has given me for building up and not for destruction.

11 Finally, brothers, rejoice! Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Let this be my last word, brothers; be glad; be complete; be comforted; be of the same mind; be at peace with one another: and the God of love and peace will be with you.

12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.

Give one another a holy kiss.

13 All the saints send you greetings.

All the saints send their love to you.

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the harmony of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.