2 Corinthians 13

FINAL WARNINGS AND EXHORTATIONS

13This is the third time I am coming to you.^w Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.^{Ax 2}I gave a warning when I was present the second time, and now I give a warning^y while I am absent to those who sinned before and to all the rest: If I come again, I will not be lenient, ³since you seek proof of Christ speaking in me.^z He is not weak in dealing with you, but powerful among you. ⁴For he was crucified^aa in weakness, but he lives^ab by the power of God. For we also are weak in him,^ac but in dealing with you we will live^ad with him by God’s power.

⁵Test^ae yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless you fail the test.^{B 6}And I hope you will recognize that we ourselves do not fail the test. ⁷But we pray to God that you do nothing wrong—not that we may appear to pass the test, but that you may do what is right,^af even though we may appear to fail. ⁸For we can’t do anything against the truth,^ag but only for the truth. ⁹We rejoice when we are weak and you are strong.^ah We also pray that you become fully mature.^{C 10}This is why I am writing these things while absent, so that when I am there I may not have to deal harshly with you, in keeping with the authority the Lord gave me for building up^ai and not for tearing down.^aj

¹¹Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice.^D Become mature, be encouraged,^E be of the same mind,^ak be at peace,^al and the God of love^am and peace will be with you. ¹²Greet one another with a holy kiss.^an All the saints send you greetings.

¹³The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love^ao of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.^ap