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

Final Warnings

13 This will be the third time I am coming to you. “Every accusation must be verified by two or three witnesses.”[a] I have already warned those who sinned previously and all the rest. Although I am absent now, I am warning them as I did on my second visit: If I come back, I will not spare you, since you want proof that the Messiah[b] is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you but is making his power felt among you. Though he was crucified in weakness, he lives by God’s power. We are weak with him, but by God’s power we will live for you.

Keep examining yourselves to see whether you are continuing in the faith. Test yourselves! You know, don’t you, that Jesus the Messiah[c] lives in you? Could it be that you are failing the test? I hope you will realize that we haven’t failed our test. We pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not to show that we have not failed the test, but so that you may do what is right, even if we seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. We are glad when we are weak and you are strong. That is what we are praying for—your maturity.

10 For this reason I am writing this while I am away from you: When I come I do not want to be severe in using the authority the Lord gave me to build you up and not to tear you down.

Final Greetings and Benediction

11 Finally, brothers, goodbye. Keep on growing to maturity. Keep listening to my appeals. Continue agreeing with each other and living in peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.[d] 13 All the saints greet you.

14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus the Messiah,[e] the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you!

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 13:1 Deut 19:15
  2. 2 Corinthians 13:3 Or Christ
  3. 2 Corinthians 13:5 Or Christ
  4. 2 Corinthians 13:12 People customarily greeted their friends with a kiss.
  5. 2 Corinthians 13:14 Or Christ