2 Corinthians 13

1 This is the third time I am coming to you. "At the mouth of two or three witnesses will 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 have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, to those who have sinned before now, and to all the rest, 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 seeing that you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me; who toward you is not weak, but is powerful in 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 indeed he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we will live with him through 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 Test your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or do you not know as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

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 hope that you will know that we are not disqualified.

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

7 Now we pray to God that you do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that you may do that which is honorable, though we are as reprobate.

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 can do nothing against the truth, but 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. And this we also pray for, even your perfecting.

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 I may not deal sharply when present, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for tearing down.

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, brothers, rejoice. Be perfected, be comforted, be of the same mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will 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 Greet one another with a holy kiss.

Greet one another with a holy kiss.

13 All the saints greet you.

All the saints send you greetings.

14 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 all of you.