2 Corinthians 13
Paul Tells the Corinthians to Prepare for His Visit
1 This is the third time that I’ll be visiting you. Every accusation must be verified by two or three witnesses.2 I already warned you when I was with you the second time, and even though I’m not there now, I’m warning you again. When I visit you again, I won’t spare you. That goes for all those who formerly led sinful lives as well as for all the others.3 Since you want proof that Christ is speaking through me, that’s what you’ll get. Christ isn’t weak in dealing with you. Instead, he makes his power felt among you.
4 He was weak when he was crucified, but by God’s power he lives. We are weak with him, but by God’s power we will live for you with his help.
5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are still in the Christian faith. Test yourselves! Don’t you recognize that you are people in whom Jesus Christ lives? Could it be that you’re failing the test?6 I hope that you will realize that we haven’t failed the test.7 We pray to God that you won’t do anything wrong. It’s not that we want to prove that we’ve passed the test. Rather, we want you to do whatever is right, even if we seem to have failed.8 We can’t do anything against the truth but only to help the truth.
9 We’re glad when we are weak and you are strong. We are also praying for your improvement.
10 That’s why I’m writing this letter while I’m not with you. When I am with you I don’t want to be harsh by using the authority that the Lord gave me. The Lord gave us this authority to help you, not to hurt you.
Farewell
11 With that, brothers and sisters, I must say goodbye. Make sure that you improve. Accept my encouragement. Share the same attitude and live in peace. The God of love and peace will be with you.
12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All of God’s holy people greet you.t
13 May the Lord Jesus Christ’s good will,t God’s love, and the Holy Spirit’s presence be with all of you!
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