2 Corinthians 13

1 This the third time I am coming to you: in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.

For the third time I am coming to see you. By the word of two or three witnesses each statement will be established.

2 I have told you beforehand, and I am speaking to you in advance, as being present the second time, even now absent, that, if I may come to you again, I will not spare those who have previously sinned, and all the rest;

I have said it, and I say it again before I come, just as if I were with you on my second visit, though for the moment absent, I say to those who have been long sinning, as well as to all others – that if I come again, I will spare no one.

3 since you are seeking the approval of Christ, who is speaking in me, who is not weak towards you, bit mighty among you.

And that will be the proof, which you are looking for, that the Christ speaks through me. There is no weakness in his dealings with you. No, he shows his power among you.

4 For indeed he was crucified from weakness, but he lives by the power of God: for we indeed are weak in him, but we shall live with him through the power of God unto you.

For though his crucifixion was due to weakness, his life is due to the power of God. And we, also, are weak in his weakness, but with him we will live for you through the power of God.

5 Prove your own selves, if you are in the faith; examine yourselves; whether do you not know yourselves, that Christ Jesus is in you? unless indeed you are reprobates.

Put yourselves to the test, to see whether you are holding to the faith. Examine yourselves. Surely you recognize this fact about yourselves – that Jesus Christ is in you! Unless indeed you cannot stand the test!

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

But I hope that you will recognize that we can stand the test.

7 But we are praying unto God, that he may do you no evil, not in order that we may appear approved, but that you may do that which is good, and we may be as disapproved.

We pray to God that you may do nothing wrong, not that we may be seen to stand the test, but that you may do what is right, even though we may seem not to stand the test.

8 For we are not able to do any thing against the truth, but for the truth.

We have no power at all against the truth, but we have power in the service of the truth.

9 For we rejoice when we may be weak, and you may be strong: we are praying for even this, your perfection.

We are glad when we are weak, if you are strong. And what we pray for is that you may become perfect.

10 Therefore being absent I write these things, in order that being present, I may not use severity, according to the power which the Lord has given me for edification, and not for destruction.

This is my reason for writing as I am now doing, while I am away from you, so that, when I am with you, I may not act harshly in the exercise of the authority which the Lord gave me – and gave me for building up and not for pulling down.

11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect; be of good comfort; think the same thing, live in peace: and the God of love and peace will be with you.

And now, friends, goodbye. Aim at perfection; take courage; agree together; live in peace. And then God, the source of all love and peace, will be with you.

12 Salute one another with a holy kiss.

Greet one another with a sacred kiss.

13 All the saints salute you.

All Christ’s people here send you their greetings.

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

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