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. “Every accusation must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.”

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 have already said to those who sinned before and to all the rest when I was there the second time, and I say it again: When I come again, I will not spare them.

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.

I tell you this because you are looking for evidence that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak toward you. Instead, he is powerful 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 crucified in weakness, but he is alive by God's power. For we also are weak in him, but we will live with him by the power of God among 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?

Examine yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize this about yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless you have failed the test.

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

And I trust that you will recognize that we have not failed the test.

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 we pray to God that you may not do any wrong. I do not pray that we may appear to have passed the test. Instead, I pray that you may do what is right, although we may seem to have failed the test.

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

For we are not able to do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

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

For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray 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.

I write these things while I am away from you, so that when I am with you I do not have to deal harshly with you in the use of my authority—which the Lord gave to me, so that I may build you up, and not tear you down.

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.

Finally, brothers, rejoice! Work for restoration, be encouraged, agree with one another, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.

Greet each other with a holy kiss.

13 All the saints send you greetings.

All of the believers greet 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.

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