2 Corinthians 13

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

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

2 I said before, and now say beforehand, as when present the second time, so also absent now, to those who have sinned before, and to all the others, that if I come again, I will not spare;

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,

3 since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who towards you is not weak, but is mighty among you.

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

4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God; for we also are weak in him, but we shall live together with him by the power of God toward you.

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.

5 Try yourselves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, that Christ Jesus is in you, unless ye are unapproved?

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?

6 But I trust that ye shall know, that we are not unapproved.

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

7 Now we pray to God that ye do no evil; not in order that we may appear approved, but that ye may do what is good, though we be as unapproved.

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.

8 For we have no power against the truth, but for the truth.

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

9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong; this also we pray for, even your perfection.

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

10 For this cause I write these things while absent, that when present I may not use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord gave me for edification, and not for destruction.

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.

11 Finally, brethren, farewell! Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

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.

12 Salute one another with a holy kiss.

Greet one another with a holy kiss.

13 All the saints salute you.

All the saints send you greetings.

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

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