2 Corinthians 13

1 This is the third time that I am coming to you. “Every accusation must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.”

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

2 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.

As I already said while with you the second time, I now repeat in writing while absent, to those who sinned before and to all the rest: If I come again I will not spare,

3 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.

since you want proof that Christ is speaking through me—He who is not weak toward you but powerful among you

4 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.

(although He was crucified in weakness, He lives by the power of God). Now we also are weak in Him, but we will live with Him by the power of God toward you.

5 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.

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you yourselves really not know that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

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

Well I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

7 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.

Now I pray to God that you do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that you may do what is right (even though we may appear to have failed).

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

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

9 For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray that you may be made complete.

Now we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And we also pray for this, your perfecting.

10 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.

This is why I write these things while absent, so that when present I may not have to deal harshly, according to the authority that the Lord gave me, for building up and not for tearing down.

11 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.

Finally, brothers, rejoice; restore each other; encourage one another; be of one mind; live in peace; and the God of the love and the peace will be with you.

12 Greet each other with a holy kiss.

Greet one another with a holy kiss.

13 All of the believers greet you.

All the saints greet you.

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

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