Examine Yourselves

13 (A)This is the third time that I am coming to you. (B)On the [a]testimony of two or three witnesses every matter shall be confirmed. I have previously said when I was present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have (C)sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that (D)if I come again I will not (E)spare anyone, since you are (F)seeking proof of the (G)Christ who speaks in me, who is not weak toward you, but (H)mighty in you. For indeed He was (I)crucified because of weakness, yet He lives (J)because of the power of God. For we too are (K)weak [b]in Him, yet (L)we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.

(M)Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; (N)examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you [c](O)fail the test? But I expect that you will realize that we ourselves [d]do not fail the test. Now we pray to God that you do nothing wrong; not so that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, though we may [e]appear unapproved. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. For we rejoice when we ourselves are (P)weak, but you are strong; this we also pray for, [f]that you (Q)become mature. 10 For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present (R)I need not use (S)severity, in accordance with the (T)authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

11 (U)Finally, brothers and sisters, [g]rejoice, (V)mend your ways, be comforted, (W)be like-minded, (X)live in peace; and (Y)the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 (Z)Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 (AA)All the [h]saints greet you.

14 (AB)The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the (AC)love of God, and the (AD)fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 13:1 Lit mouth
  2. 2 Corinthians 13:4 One early ms with Him
  3. 2 Corinthians 13:5 Lit are unapproved
  4. 2 Corinthians 13:6 Lit are not unapproved
  5. 2 Corinthians 13:7 Lit be as
  6. 2 Corinthians 13:9 Lit your maturation
  7. 2 Corinthians 13:11 Or farewell
  8. 2 Corinthians 13:13 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people

13 This is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses or three shall every word be established. I have said [a]beforehand, and I do say [b]beforehand, [c]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; seeing that ye seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me; who to you-ward is not weak, but is powerful in you: for he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God. For we also are weak [d]in him, but we shall live with him through the power of God toward you. 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. But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate. 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, [e]though we be as reprobate. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 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, [f]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.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 13:2 Or, plainly. Compare 1 Th. 3:4.
  2. 2 Corinthians 13:2 Or, plainly. Compare 1 Th. 3:4.
  3. 2 Corinthians 13:2 Or, as if I were present the second time, even though I am now absent
  4. 2 Corinthians 13:4 Many ancient authorities read with.
  5. 2 Corinthians 13:7 Greek and that.
  6. 2 Corinthians 13:11 Or, rejoice: be perfected