2 Corinthians 13

1 Behold, this is the third time I am coming to you: In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word stand.

This intended visit of mine is my third visit to you. "On the evidence of two or three witnesses every charge shall be sustained."

2 I have told before, and foretell, as present, and now absent, to them that sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare.

Those who cling to their old sins, and indeed all of you, I have forewarned and still forewarn (as I did on my second visit when present, so I do now, though absent) that, when I come again, I shall not spare you;

3 Do you seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me, who towards you is not weak, but is mighty in you?

since you want a practical proof of the fact that Christ speaks by my lips--He who is not feeble towards you, but powerful among you.

4 For although he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him: but we shall live with him by the power of God towards you.

For though it is true that He was crucified through weakness, yet He now lives through the power of God. We also are weak, sharing His weakness, but with Him we shall be full of life to deal with you through the power of God.

5 Try your own selves if you be in the faith; prove ye yourselves. Know you not your own selves, that Christ Jesus is in you, unless perhaps you be reprobates?

Test yourselves to discover whether you are true believers: put your own selves under examination. Or do you not know that Jesus Christ is within you, unless you are insincere?

6 But I trust that you shall know that we are not reprobates.

But I trust that you will recognize that we are not insincere.

7 Now we pray God, that you may do no evil, not that we may appear approved, but that you may do that which is good, and that we may be as reprobates.

And our prayer to God is that you may do nothing wrong; not in order that our sincerity may be demonstrated, but that you may do what is right, even though our sincerity may seem to be doubtful.

8 For we can do nothing against the truth; but for the truth.

For we have no power against the truth, but only for the furtherance of the truth;

9 For we rejoice that we are weak, and you are strong. This also we pray for, your perfection.

and it is a joy to us when we are powerless, but you are strong. This we also pray for--the perfecting of your characters.

10 Therefore I write these things, being absent, that, being present, I may not deal more severely, according to the power which the Lord hath given me unto edification, and not unto destruction.

For this reason I write thus while absent, that when present I may not have to act severely in the exercise of the authority which the Lord has given me for building up, and not for pulling down.

11 For the rest, brethren, rejoice, be perfect, take exhortation, be of one mind, have peace; and the God of peace and of love shall be with you.

Finally, brethren, be joyful, secure perfection of character, take courage, be of one mind, live in peace. And then God who gives love and peace will be with you.

12 Salute one another with a holy kiss.

Salute one another with a holy kiss.

13 All the saints salute you.

All God's people here send greetings to you.

14 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the charity of God, and the communication of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen.

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