2 Corinthians 13

Final Warnings and Greetings

1 I will come to you for the third time. “Every case must be proved by two or three witnesses.” 2 When I was with you the second time, I gave a warning to those who had sinned. Now I am away from you, and I give a warning to all the others. When I come to you again, I will not be easy with them.3 You want proof that Christ is speaking through me. My proof is that he is not weak among you, but he is powerful.

4 It is true that he was weak when he was killed on the cross, but he lives now by God’s power. It is true that we are weak in Christ, but for you we will be alive in Christ by God’s power.
5 Look closely at yourselves. Test yourselves to see if you are living in the faith. You know that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you fail the test.6 But I hope you will see that we ourselves have not failed the test.7 We pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. It is not important to see that we have passed the test, but it is important that you do what is right, even if it seems we have failed.8 We cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.9 We are happy to be weak, if you are strong, and we pray that you will become complete.

10 I am writing this while I am away from you so that when I come I will not have to be harsh in my use of authority. The Lord gave me this authority to build you up, not to tear you down.

11 Now, brothers and sisters, I say good-bye. Live in harmony. Do what I have asked you to do. Agree with each other, and live in peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.
12 Greet each other with a holy kiss.

13 All of God’s holy people send greetings to you.
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

2 Corinthians 13

1 This is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses or three shall every word established.2 I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, to them that have sinned heretofore, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare;3 seeing that ye seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me; who to you-ward is not weak, but is powerful in you:4 for he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him through the power of God toward you.5 Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate.6 But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate.7 Now we pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that ye may do that which is honorable, though we be as reprobate.8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.9 For we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong: this we also pray for, even your perfecting.10 For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for casting down.11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfected; be comforted; be of the same mind; live in peace: and the God of love and peace shall be with you.12 Salute one another with a holy kiss.13 All the saints salute you.14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.