< 2 Corinthians 13 >

1 This intended visit of mine is my third visit to you. "On the evidence of two or three witnesses every charge shall be sustained."
This the third time I am coming to you: in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.
2 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;
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;
3 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.
since you are seeking the approval of Christ, who is speaking in me, who is not weak towards you, bit mighty among you.
4 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.
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.
5 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?
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.
6 But I trust that you will recognize that we are not insincere.
But I hope that you shall know that we are not reprobates.
7 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.
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.
8 For we have no power against the truth, but only for the furtherance of the truth;
For we are not able to do any thing against the truth, but for the truth.
9 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.
For we rejoice when we may be weak, and you may be strong: we are praying for even this, your perfection.
10 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.
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.
11 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.
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.
12 Salute one another with a holy kiss.
Salute one another with a holy kiss.
13 All God's people here send greetings to you.
All the saints salute you.
14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship 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 you all.

< 2 Corinthians 13 >