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Chapter 16

(A)They brought in the ark of God and set it within the tent which David had pitched for it.(B) Then they sacrificed burnt offerings and communion offerings to God. When David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and communion offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord, and distributed to every Israelite, to every man and every woman, a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a raisin cake.

David’s Directives for the Levites. He then appointed certain Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to celebrate, thank, and praise the Lord, the God of Israel.(C) Asaph was their chief, and second to him were Zechariah, Uzziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. These were to play on harps and lyres, while Asaph was to sound the cymbals, and the priests Benaiah and Jahaziel were to be the regular trumpeters before the ark of the covenant of God.

On that same day, David appointed Asaph and his brothers to sing for the first time these praises of the Lord:

[a]Give thanks to the Lord, invoke his name;(D)
    make known among the peoples his deeds.
Sing praise, play music;
    proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
10 Glory in his holy name;
    rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord!
11 Rely on the mighty Lord;
    constantly seek his face.
12 Recall the wondrous deeds he has done,
    his signs, and his words of judgment,
13 You sons of Israel, his servants,
    offspring of Jacob, the chosen ones!
14 The Lord is our God;
    who rules the whole earth.
15 He remembers forever his covenant
    the pact imposed for a thousand generations—
16 Which was made with Abraham,
    confirmed by oath to Isaac,
17 And ratified as binding for Jacob,
    an everlasting covenant for Israel:
18 “To you will I give the land of Canaan,
    your own allotted heritage.”
19 When they were few in number,
    a handful, and strangers there,
20 Wandering from nation to nation,
    from one kingdom to another,
21 He let no one oppress them;
    for their sake he rebuked kings:
22 “Do not touch my anointed,
    to my prophets do no harm.”
23 (E)Sing to the Lord, all the earth,
    announce his salvation, day after day.
24 Tell his glory among the nations;
    among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
25 For great is the Lord and highly to be praised;
    to be feared above all gods.
26 For the gods of the nations all do nothing,
    but the Lord made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty go before him;
    power and rejoicing are in his holy place.
28 Give to the Lord, you families of nations,
    give to the Lord glory and might;
29 Give to the Lord the glory due his name!
Bring gifts, and come before him;
    bow down to the Lord, splendid in holiness.
30 Tremble before him, all the earth;
    the world will surely stand fast, never to be moved.
31 Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
    let them say among the nations: The Lord is king.
32 Let the sea and what fills it resound;
    let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
33 Then let all the trees of the forest exult
    before the Lord, who comes,
    who comes to rule the earth.
34 (F)Give thanks to the Lord, who is good,
    whose love endures forever;
35 And say, “Save us, O God, our savior,
    gather us and deliver us from among the nations,
That we may give thanks to your holy name
    and glory in praising you.”
36 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
    from everlasting to everlasting!
Let all the people say, Amen! Hallelujah.

37 Then David left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the Lord to minister before the ark regularly according to the daily ritual; 38 he also left there Obed-edom and sixty-eight of his brothers, including Obed-edom, son of Jeduthun, and Hosah, to be gatekeepers.(G)

39 But the priest Zadok and his priestly brothers he left before the tabernacle of the Lord on the high place at Gibeon,(H) 40 to make burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar for burnt offerings regularly, morning and evening, and to do all that is written in the law of the Lord which he commanded Israel.(I) 41 With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the others who were chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the Lord, “whose love endures forever,”(J) 42 with trumpets and cymbals for accompaniment, and instruments for sacred song. The sons of Jeduthun kept the gate.(K)

43 Then all the people departed, each to their own homes, and David returned to bless his household.(L)

Chapter 17

The Oracle of Nathan. (M)After David had taken up residence in his house, he said to Nathan the prophet, “See, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under tentcloth.”(N) Nathan replied to David, “Whatever is in your heart, go and do, for God is with you.”

But that same night the word of God came to Nathan: Go and tell David my servant, Thus says the Lord: It is not you who are to build the house for me to dwell in.(O) For I have never dwelt in a house, from the day I brought Israel up, even to this day, but I have been lodging in tent or tabernacle. As long as I have wandered about with all Israel, did I ever say a word to any of the judges of Israel whom I commanded to shepherd my people, Why have you not built me a house of cedar? Now then, speak thus to my servant David, Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to become ruler over my people Israel.(P) I was with you wherever you went, and I cut down all your enemies before you. I will make your name like that of the greatest on the earth. I will assign a place for my people Israel and I will plant them in it to dwell there; they will never again be disturbed, nor shall the wicked ever again oppress them, as they did at the beginning, 10 and during all the time when I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover, I declare to you that the Lord will build you a house: 11 when your days have been completed and you must join your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you who will be one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom.(Q) 12 He it is who shall build me a house, and I will establish his throne forever.(R) 13 I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me, and I will not withdraw my favor from him as I withdrew it from the one who was before you;(S) 14 but I will maintain him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be firmly established forever.

15 In accordance with all these words and this whole vision Nathan spoke to David.

David’s Thanksgiving. 16 Then King David came in and sat in the Lord’s presence, and said: “Who am I, Lord God, and what is my house, that you should have brought me so far? 17 And yet, even this is too little in your sight, O God! For you have made a promise regarding your servant’s house reaching into the future, and you have looked on me as henceforth the most notable of men, Lord God.(T) 18 What more can David say to you? You have known[b] your servant. 19 Lord, for your servant’s sake and in keeping with your purpose, you have done this great thing. 20 Lord, there is no one like you, no God but you, just as we have always heard.(U)

21 “Is there, like your people Israel, whom you redeemed from Egypt, another nation on earth whom a god went to redeem as his people? You won for yourself a name for great and awesome deeds by driving out the nations before your people.(V) 22 You made your people Israel your own forever, and you, Lord, became their God. 23 Now, Lord, may the promise that you have spoken concerning your servant and his house remain firm forever. Bring about what you have promised, 24 that your name, Lord of hosts, God of Israel, may be great and abide forever, while the house of your servant is established in your presence.

25 “Because you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build him a house, your servant dares to pray before you.(W) 26 Since you, Lord, are truly God and have made this generous promise to your servant, 27 do, then, bless the house of your servant, that it may be in your presence forever—since it is you, Lord, who blessed it, it is blessed forever.”(X)

Footnotes

  1. 16:8–36 A hymn composed of parts of several psalms: vv. 8–22 = Ps 105:1–15; vv. 23–33 = Ps 96:1–13; vv. 34–36 = Ps 106:1, 47–48. There are minor textual variants between this hymn and the psalms it is drawn from.
  2. 17:18 Known: given David recognition, chosen him, singled him out; cf. Gn 18:19; Ex 33:12; Am 3:2.

Ministering Before the Ark(A)(B)(C)

16 They brought the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched(D) for it, and they presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before God. After David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed(E) the people in the name of the Lord. Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins(F) to each Israelite man and woman.

He appointed some of the Levites to minister(G) before the ark of the Lord, to extol,[a] thank, and praise the Lord, the God of Israel: Asaph was the chief, and next to him in rank were Zechariah, then Jaaziel,[b] Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel. They were to play the lyres and harps, Asaph was to sound the cymbals, and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.

That day David first appointed Asaph and his associates to give praise(H) to the Lord in this manner:

Give praise(I) to the Lord, proclaim his name;
    make known among the nations(J) what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise(K) to him;
    tell of all his wonderful acts.
10 Glory in his holy name;(L)
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
11 Look to the Lord and his strength;
    seek(M) his face always.

12 Remember(N) the wonders(O) he has done,
    his miracles,(P) and the judgments he pronounced,
13 you his servants, the descendants of Israel,
    his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.
14 He is the Lord our God;
    his judgments(Q) are in all the earth.

15 He remembers[c](R) his covenant forever,
    the promise he made, for a thousand generations,
16 the covenant(S) he made with Abraham,
    the oath he swore to Isaac.
17 He confirmed it to Jacob(T) as a decree,
    to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
18 “To you I will give the land of Canaan(U)
    as the portion you will inherit.”

19 When they were but few in number,(V)
    few indeed, and strangers in it,
20 they[d] wandered(W) from nation to nation,
    from one kingdom to another.
21 He allowed no one to oppress them;
    for their sake he rebuked kings:(X)
22 “Do not touch my anointed ones;
    do my prophets(Y) no harm.”

23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth;
    proclaim his salvation day after day.
24 Declare his glory(Z) among the nations,
    his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

25 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;(AA)
    he is to be feared(AB) above all gods.(AC)
26 For all the gods of the nations are idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens.(AD)
27 Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and joy are in his dwelling place.

28 Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.(AE)
29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;(AF)
    bring an offering and come before him.
Worship the Lord in the splendor of his[e] holiness.(AG)
30     Tremble(AH) before him, all the earth!
    The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.(AI)

31 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;(AJ)
    let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!(AK)
32 Let the sea resound, and all that is in it;(AL)
    let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!
33 Let the trees(AM) of the forest sing,
    let them sing for joy before the Lord,
    for he comes to judge(AN) the earth.

34 Give thanks(AO) to the Lord, for he is good;(AP)
    his love endures forever.(AQ)
35 Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior;(AR)
    gather us and deliver us from the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name,
    and glory in your praise.”
36 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,(AS)
    from everlasting to everlasting.

Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the Lord.”

37 David left Asaph and his associates before the ark of the covenant of the Lord to minister there regularly, according to each day’s requirements.(AT) 38 He also left Obed-Edom(AU) and his sixty-eight associates to minister with them. Obed-Edom son of Jeduthun, and also Hosah,(AV) were gatekeepers.

39 David left Zadok(AW) the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the Lord at the high place in Gibeon(AX) 40 to present burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar of burnt offering regularly, morning and evening, in accordance with everything written in the Law(AY) of the Lord, which he had given Israel. 41 With them were Heman(AZ) and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the Lord, “for his love endures forever.” 42 Heman and Jeduthun were responsible for the sounding of the trumpets and cymbals and for the playing of the other instruments for sacred song.(BA) The sons of Jeduthun(BB) were stationed at the gate.

43 Then all the people left, each for their own home, and David returned home to bless his family.

God’s Promise to David(BC)

17 After David was settled in his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under a tent.(BD)

Nathan replied to David, “Whatever you have in mind,(BE) do it, for God is with you.”

But that night the word of God came to Nathan, saying:

“Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: You(BF) are not the one to build me a house to dwell in. I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up out of Egypt to this day. I have moved from one tent site to another, from one dwelling place to another. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their leaders[f] whom I commanded to shepherd my people, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?(BG)”’

“Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler(BH) over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name like the names of the greatest men on earth. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning 10 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders(BI) over my people Israel. I will also subdue all your enemies.

“‘I declare to you that the Lord will build a house for you: 11 When your days are over and you go to be with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He is the one who will build(BJ) a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever.(BK) 13 I will be his father,(BL) and he will be my son.(BM) I will never take my love away from him, as I took it away from your predecessor. 14 I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne(BN) will be established forever.(BO)’”

15 Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation.

David’s Prayer(BP)

16 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said:

“Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 17 And as if this were not enough in your sight, my God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You, Lord God, have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men.

18 “What more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant, 19 Lord. For the sake(BQ) of your servant and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made known all these great promises.(BR)

20 “There is no one like you, Lord, and there is no God but you,(BS) as we have heard with our own ears. 21 And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth whose God went out to redeem(BT) a people for himself, and to make a name for yourself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? 22 You made your people Israel your very own forever,(BU) and you, Lord, have become their God.

23 “And now, Lord, let the promise(BV) you have made concerning your servant and his house be established forever. Do as you promised, 24 so that it will be established and that your name will be great forever. Then people will say, ‘The Lord Almighty, the God over Israel, is Israel’s God!’ And the house of your servant David will be established before you.

25 “You, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. So your servant has found courage to pray to you. 26 You, Lord, are God! You have promised these good things to your servant. 27 Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight;(BW) for you, Lord, have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever.”

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 16:4 Or petition; or invoke
  2. 1 Chronicles 16:5 See 15:18,20; Hebrew Jeiel, possibly another name for Jaaziel.
  3. 1 Chronicles 16:15 Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also Psalm 105:8); Hebrew Remember
  4. 1 Chronicles 16:20 One Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint and Vulgate (see also Psalm 105:12); most Hebrew manuscripts inherit, / 19 though you are but few in number, / few indeed, and strangers in it.” / 20 They
  5. 1 Chronicles 16:29 Or Lord with the splendor of
  6. 1 Chronicles 17:6 Traditionally judges; also in verse 10

18 The simple have folly as an adornment,
    but the shrewd wear knowledge as a crown.[a]
19 The malicious bow down before the good,
    and the wicked, at the gates of the just.
20 Even by their neighbors the poor are despised,
    but a rich person’s friends are many.(A)
21 Whoever despises the hungry comes up short,
    but happy the one who is kind to the poor![b]
22 Do not those who plan evil go astray?
    But those who plan good win steadfast loyalty.
23 In all labor there is profit,
    but mere talk tends only to loss.
24 The crown of the wise is wealth;
    the diadem of fools is folly.
25 The truthful witness saves lives,
    but whoever utters lies is a betrayer.
26 The fear of the Lord is a strong defense,
    a refuge even for one’s children.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
    turning one from the snares of death.
28 A multitude of subjects is the glory of the king;
    but if his people are few, a prince is ruined.
29 Long-suffering results in great wisdom;
    a short temper raises folly high.[c](B)
30 A tranquil mind gives life to the body,
    but jealousy rots the bones.
31 Those who oppress the poor revile their Maker,
    but those who are kind to the needy honor him.(C)
32 The wicked are overthrown by their wickedness,
    but the just find a refuge in their integrity.
33 Wisdom can remain silent in the discerning heart,
    but among fools she must make herself known.[d](D)
34 Justice exalts a nation,
    but sin is a people’s disgrace.[e]
35 The king favors the skillful servant,
    but the shameless one incurs his wrath.

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Footnotes

  1. 14:18 The inner quality of a person, simple or wise, will eventually be revealed.
  2. 14:21 The paradox is that anyone who spurns the hungry will lack something, but anyone who shows mercy (presumably by giving to the poor) will gain prosperity.
  3. 14:29 A series of puns on short and long; lit., “long of nostrils (idiom for “patient”), large in wisdom, / short in breath (idiom for “impatient”), makes folly tall.”
  4. 14:33 Wisdom can remain silent in a wise person as a welcome friend. But it must speak out among fools, for the dissonance is so strong.
  5. 14:34 The rare noun “disgrace” occurs elsewhere only in Lv 20:17. In measuring the greatness of a nation, one is tempted to consider territory, wealth, history, but the most important criterion is its relationship to God (“justice”).

18 The simple inherit folly,
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,
    and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.(A)

20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
    but the rich have many friends.(B)

21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,(C)
    but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.(D)

22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?(E)
    But those who plan what is good find[a] love and faithfulness.

23 All hard work brings a profit,
    but mere talk leads only to poverty.

24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
    but the folly of fools yields folly.(F)

25 A truthful witness saves lives,
    but a false witness is deceitful.(G)

26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,(H)
    and for their children it will be a refuge.(I)

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,(J)
    turning a person from the snares of death.(K)

28 A large population is a king’s glory,
    but without subjects a prince is ruined.(L)

29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,(M)
    but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.(N)

30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
    but envy rots the bones.(O)

31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,(P)
    but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.(Q)

32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,(R)
    but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.(S)

33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning(T)
    and even among fools she lets herself be known.[b]

34 Righteousness exalts a nation,(U)
    but sin condemns any people.

35 A king delights in a wise servant,
    but a shameful servant arouses his fury.(V)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:22 Or show
  2. Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known

Chapter 13

This third time I am coming[a] to you. “On the testimony of two or three witnesses a fact shall be established.”(A) I warned those who sinned earlier[b] and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not be lenient, [c]since you are looking for proof of Christ speaking in me. He is not weak toward you but powerful in you. For indeed he was crucified out of weakness, but he lives by the power of God. So also we are weak in him, but toward you we shall live with him by the power of God.

[d]Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless, of course, you fail the test. I hope you will discover that we have not failed. But we pray to God that you may not do evil, not that we may appear to have passed the test but that you may do what is right, even though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. For we rejoice when we are weak but you are strong. What we pray for is your improvement.

10 [e](B)I am writing this while I am away, so that when I come I may not have to be severe in virtue of the authority that the Lord has given me to build up and not to tear down.

V. Conclusion[f]

11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the holy ones greet you.(C)

13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the holy Spirit be with all of you.(D)

Footnotes

  1. 13:1 This third time I am coming: designation of the forthcoming visit as the “third” (cf. 2 Cor 12:14) may indicate that, in addition to his founding sojourn in Corinth, Paul had already made the first of two visits mentioned as planned in 2 Cor 1:15, and the next visit will be the long-postponed second of these. If so, the materials in 2 Cor 1:12–2:13 plus 2 Cor 7:4–16 and 2 Cor 10–13 may date from the same period of time, presumably of some duration, between Paul’s second and third visit, though it is not clear that they are addressing the same crisis. The chronology is too unsure and the relations between sections of 2 Corinthians too unclear to yield any certainty. The hypothesis that 2 Cor 10–13 are themselves the “tearful letter” mentioned at 2 Cor 2:3–4 creates more problems than it solves.
  2. 13:2 I warned those who sinned earlier: mention of unrepentant sinners (2 Cor 12:21 and here) and of an oral admonition given them on an earlier visit complicates the picture at the very end of Paul’s development. It provides, in fact, a second explanation for the show of power that has been threatened from the beginning (2 Cor 10:1–6), but a different reason for it, quite unsuspected until now. It is not clear whether Paul is merely alluding to a dimension of the situation that he has not previously had occasion to mention, or whether some other community crisis, not directly connected with that behind 2 Cor 10–13, has influenced the final editing. I will not be lenient: contrast Paul’s hesitation and reluctance to inflict pain in 2 Cor 1:23 and 2 Cor 2:1–4. The next visit will bring the showdown.
  3. 13:3–4 Paul now gives another motive for severity when he comes, the charge of weakness leveled against him as an apostle. The motive echoes more closely the opening section (2 Cor 10:1–18) and the intervening development (especially 2 Cor 11:30–12:10). Proof of Christ speaking in me: the threat of 2 Cor 10:1–2 is reworded to recall Paul’s conformity with the pattern of Christ, his insertion into the interplay of death and life, weakness and power (cf. note on 2 Cor 12:10b).
  4. 13:5–9 Paul turns the challenge mentioned in 2 Cor 13:3 on them: they are to put themselves to the test to demonstrate whether Christ is in them. These verses involve a complicated series of plays on the theme of dokimē (testing, proof, passing and failing a test). Behind this stands the familiar distinction between present human judgment and final divine judgment. This is the final appearance of the theme (cf. 2 Cor 10:18; 11:15; 12:19).
  5. 13:10 Authority…to build up and not to tear down: Paul restates the purpose of his letter in language that echoes 2 Cor 10:2, 8, emphasizing the positive purpose of his authority in their regard. This verse forms an inclusion with the topic sentence of the section (2 Cor 12:19), as well as with the opening of this entire portion of the letter (2 Cor 10:1–2).
  6. 13:11–13 These verses may have originally concluded 2 Cor 10–13, but they have nothing specifically to do with the material of that section. It is also possible to consider them a conclusion to the whole of 2 Corinthians in its present edited form. The exhortations are general, including a final appeal for peace in the community. The letter ends calmly, after its many storms, with the prospect of ecclesial unity and divine blessing. The final verse is one of the clearest trinitarian passages in the New Testament.

Final Warnings

13 This will be my third visit to you.(A) “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”[a](B) I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent:(C) On my return I will not spare(D) those who sinned earlier(E) or any of the others, since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me.(F) He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness,(G) yet he lives by God’s power.(H) Likewise, we are weak(I) in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him(J) in our dealing with you.

Examine yourselves(K) to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.(L) Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you(M)—unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. We are glad whenever we are weak(N) but you are strong;(O) and our prayer is that you may be fully restored.(P) 10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh(Q) in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.(R)

Final Greetings

11 Finally, brothers and sisters,(S) rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace.(T) And the God of love(U) and peace(V) will be with you.

12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.(W) 13 All God’s people here send their greetings.(X)

14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,(Y) and the love of God,(Z) and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit(AA) be with you all.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 13:1 Deut. 19:15