2 Corinthians 13

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

This, I say, is the third time I am coming to you: and at the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

2 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 shall spare no one.

I said before, and I again tell you beforehand, as if I were present the second time; and being absent I now write to those who have sinned heretofore, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare:

3 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.

since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but is powerful among you.

4 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 shall live for you through the power of God.

For if He was crucified as from weakness, yet He now liveth by the power of God: for we also are weak in Him, but shall live with Him by the power of God manifested to you.

5 Put yourselves to the proof, to see whether you are holding to the Faith. Test yourselves. Surely you recognise this fact about yourselves — that Jesus Christ is in you! Unless indeed you cannot stand the test!

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove yourselves: do ye not know yourselves to be such that Jesus Christ is in you? unless ye are reprovable.

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

But I hope ye will soon know that we are not disapproved.

7 We pray 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.

I pray to God that ye may do no evil: and not that we may appear to be approved by your punishment, but that ye may do that which is good, though we should seem to be disapproved.

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

For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

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

For we rejoice when we exert not our power, and when ye are strong: as this is what we wish, even your perfection.

10 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.

Therefore I write these things while absent, that when present I may not use severity, according to the power which the Lord hath given me for edification, and not for destruction.

11 And now, brothers, good-bye. Aim at perfection; take courage; agree together; live in peace. And then God, the source of all love and peace, will be with you.

Finally, my brethren, farewel: be reformed, be exhorted, be of one mind, live in peace: and the God of love and peace will be with you.

12 Greet one another with a sacred kiss.

Salute one another with an holy kiss.

13 All Christ’s people here send you their greetings.

All the saints salute you. May the favor of the Lord Jesus Christ,

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

and the love of God, and the communication of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.