Chapter 13

Examine Yourselves

1 aThis is the third time I am coming to you. bEvery 1fact 2is to be confirmed by the 3testimony of two or three witnesses.

2 I have previously said when present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have asinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that bif I come again I will not cspare anyone,

3 since you are aseeking for proof of the bChrist who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but cmighty in you.

4 For indeed He was acrucified because of weakness, yet He lives bbecause of the power of God. For we also are cweak 1in Him, yet dwe will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.

5 aTest yourselves to see if you are in the faith; bexamine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you 1cfail the test?

6 But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves 1do not fail the test.

7 Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may 1appear unapproved.

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

9 For we rejoice when we ourselves are aweak but you are strong; this we also pray for, 1that you be bmade complete.

10 For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present aI need not use bseverity, in accordance with the cauthority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

11 aFinally, brethren, 1rejoice, 2bbe made complete, be comforted, cbe like-minded, dlive in peace; and ethe God of love and peace will be with you.

12 aGreet one another with a holy kiss.

13 aAll the 1saints greet you.

14 aThe grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the blove of God, and the cfellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.