2 Corinthians 13

Paul’s Third Visit to Corinth

1 This is the third time I am coming to visitt you. By the testimonytof two or three witnesses every matter will be established.s2 I said before when I was present the second time and now, though absent, I say again to those who sinned previously and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare anyone,t3 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. Het is not weak toward you but is powerful among you.4 For indeed he was crucified by reason of weakness, but he lives because of God’s power. For we also are weak in him, but we will live together with him, because of God’s power toward you.5 Put yourselves to the test to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you – unless, indeed, you fail the test!t6 And I hope that you will realize that we have not failed the test!t7 Now we pray to God that you may not do anything wrong, not so that we may appear to have passed the test,t but so that you may do what is rightt even if we may appear to have failed the test.t8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the sake of the truth.9 For we rejoice whenever we are weak, but you are strong. And we pray for this: that you may become fully qualified.t

10 Because of this I am writing these things while absent, so that when I arrivet I may not have to deal harshly with yout by using my authority – the Lord gave it to me for building up, not for tearing down!

Final Exhortations and Greetings

11 Finally, brothers and sisters,t rejoice, set things right, be encouraged, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.12 s Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.

13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowshipt of the Holy Spirit be with you all.s

2 Corinthians 13

Final Warnings and Greetings

1 This is now the third time that I am coming to visit you. “Any accusation must be upheld by the evidence of two or more witnesses”—as the scripture says. 2 I want to tell those of you who have sinned in the past, and all the others; I said it before during my second visit to you, but I will say it again now that I am away: the next time I come nobody will escape punishment. 3 You will have all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. When he deals with you, he is not weak; instead, he shows his power among you.

4 For even though it was in weakness that he was put to death on the cross, it is by God's power that he lives. In union with him we also are weak; but in our relations with you we shall share God's power in his life.
5 Put yourselves to the test and judge yourselves, to find out whether you are living in faith. Surely you know that Christ Jesus is in you?—unless you have completely failed. 6 I trust you will know that we are not failures. 7 We pray to God that you will do no wrong—not in order to show that we are a success, but so that you may do what is right, even though we may seem to be failures. 8 For we cannot do a thing against the truth, but only for it. 9 We are glad when we are weak but you are strong. And so we also pray that you will become perfect.

10 That is why I write this while I am away from you; it is so that when I arrive I will not have to deal harshly with you in using the authority that the Lord has given me—authority to build you up, not to tear you down.

11 And now, my friends, good-bye! Strive for perfection; listen to my appeals; agree with one another; live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

12 Greet one another with the kiss of peace. All of God's people send you their greetings.

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