2 Corinthians 13
New Living Translation
Paul’s Final Advice
13 This is the third time I am coming to visit you (and as the Scriptures say, “The facts of every case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses”[a]). 2 I have already warned those who had been sinning when I was there on my second visit. Now I again warn them and all others, just as I did before, that next time I will not spare them.
3 I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak when he deals with you; he is powerful among you. 4 Although he was crucified in weakness, he now lives by the power of God. We, too, are weak, just as Christ was, but when we deal with you we will be alive with him and will have God’s power.
5 Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you[b]; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. 6 As you test yourselves, I hope you will recognize that we have not failed the test of apostolic authority.
7 We pray to God that you will not do what is wrong by refusing our correction. I hope we won’t need to demonstrate our authority when we arrive. Do the right thing before we come—even if that makes it look like we have failed to demonstrate our authority. 8 For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth. 9 We are glad to seem weak if it helps show that you are actually strong. We pray that you will become mature.
10 I am writing this to you before I come, hoping that I won’t need to deal severely with you when I do come. For I want to use the authority the Lord has given me to strengthen you, not to tear you down.
Paul’s Final Greetings
11 Dear brothers and sisters,[c] I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.
12 Greet each other with a sacred kiss. 13 All of God’s people here send you their greetings.
14 [d]May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Footnotes
- 13:1 Deut 19:15.
- 13:5 Or in you.
- 13:11 Greek Brothers.
- 13:14 Some English translations include verse 13 as part of verse 12, and then verse 14 becomes verse 13.
2 Corinthians 13
International Standard Version
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] 2 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, 3 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. 4 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.
5 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? 6 I hope you will realize that we haven’t failed our test. 7 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. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 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
- 2 Corinthians 13:1 Deut 19:15
- 2 Corinthians 13:3 Or Christ
- 2 Corinthians 13:5 Or Christ
- 2 Corinthians 13:12 People customarily greeted their friends with a kiss.
- 2 Corinthians 13:14 Or Christ
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