2Cor.13.1

Well, this is my third visit coming up. Remember the Scripture that says, "A matter becomes clear after two or three witnesses give evidence"?

2Cor.13.1

This will be my third visit to you. "Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses."

2Cor.13.1

This will be the third time I am coming to you. "By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established."

2Cor.13.1

This is the third time I am coming to visit you. As the Scriptures say, "The facts of every case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses."

2Cor.13.2

On my second visit I warned that bunch that keeps sinning over and over in the same old ways that when I came back I wouldn't go easy on them. Now, preparing for the third, I'm saying it again from a distance. If you haven't changed your ways by the time I get there, look out.

2Cor.13.2

I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others,

2Cor.13.2

I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare--

2Cor.13.2

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 this next time I will not spare them.

2Cor.13.3

You who have been demanding proof that Christ speaks through me will get more than you bargained for. You'll get the full force of Christ, don't think you won't.

2Cor.13.3

since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.

2Cor.13.3

since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you.

2Cor.13.3

I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak in his dealings with you; he is a mighty power among you.

2Cor.13.4

He was sheer weakness and humiliation when he was killed on the Cross, but oh, he's alive now--in the mighty power of God! We weren't much to look at, either, when we were humiliated among you, but when we deal with you this next time, we'll be alive in Christ, strengthened by God.

2Cor.13.4

For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him to serve you.

2Cor.13.4

For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.

2Cor.13.4

Although he died on the cross in weakness, he now lives by the mighty power of God. We, too, are weak, but we live in him and have God's power--the power we use in dealing with you.

2Cor.13.5

Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it.

2Cor.13.5

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?

2Cor.13.5

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified.

2Cor.13.5

Examine yourselves to see if your faith is really genuine. Test yourselves. If you cannot tell that Jesus Christ is among you, it means you have failed the test.

2Cor.13.6

I hope the test won't show that we have failed.

2Cor.13.6

And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.

2Cor.13.6

But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

2Cor.13.6

I hope you recognize that we have passed the test and are approved by God.

2Cor.13.7

But if it comes to that, we'd rather the test showed our failure than yours.

2Cor.13.7

Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed.

2Cor.13.7

Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified.

2Cor.13.7

We pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. We pray this, not to show that our ministry to you has been successful, but because we want you to do right even if we ourselves seem to have failed.

2Cor.13.8

We're rooting for the truth to win out in you.

2Cor.13.8

For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

2Cor.13.8

For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

2Cor.13.8

Our responsibility is never to oppose the truth, but to stand for the truth at all times.

2Cor.13.9

We couldn't possibly do otherwise. We don't just put up with our limitations; we celebrate them, and then go on to celebrate every strength, every triumph of the truth in you. We pray hard that it will all come together in your lives.

2Cor.13.9

We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection.

2Cor.13.9

For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete.

2Cor.13.9

We are glad to be weak, if you are really strong. What we pray for is your restoration to maturity.

2Cor.13.10

I'm writing this to you now so that when I come I won't have to say another word on the subject. The authority the Master gave me is for putting people together, not taking them apart. I want to get on with it, and not have to spend time on reprimands.[JC]

2Cor.13.10

This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority--the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.

2Cor.13.10

Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.

2Cor.13.10

I am writing this to you before I come, hoping that I won't need to deal harshly with you when I do come. For I want to use the authority the Lord has given me to build you up, not to tear you down.

2Cor.13.11

And that's about it, friends. Be cheerful. Keep things in good repair. Keep your spirits up. Think in harmony. Be agreeable. Do all that, and the God of love and peace will be with you for sure.

2Cor.13.11

Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

2Cor.13.11

Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

2Cor.13.11

Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Rejoice. Change your ways. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

2Cor.13.12

Greet one another with a holy embrace.

2Cor.13.12

Greet one another with a holy kiss.

2Cor.13.12

Greet one another with a holy kiss.

2Cor.13.12

Greet each other in Christian love. All the Christians here send you their greetings.

2Cor.13.13

All the brothers and sisters here say hello.

2Cor.13.13

All the saints send their greetings.

2Cor.13.13

All the saints greet you.

2Cor.13.13

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

2Cor.13.14

The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.

2Cor.13.14

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

2Cor.13.14

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

2Cor.13.14