Coming with Authority

13 This will be athe third time I am coming to you. b“By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.” 2 cI have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent 1I write to those dwho have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again eI will not spare—3 since you seek a proof of Christ fspeaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty gin you. 4 hFor though He was crucified in weakness, yet iHe lives by the power of God. For jwe also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.

5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, kthat Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you 2are ldisqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

Paul Prefers Gentleness

7 Now 3I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though mwe may seem disqualified. 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 9 For we are glad nwhen we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, othat you may be made complete. 10 pTherefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the qauthority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.

Greetings and Benediction

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

12 tGreet one another with a holy kiss.

13 All the saints greet you.

14 uThe grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and vthe 4communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.