1 T his is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses or three shall every word established.

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

2 I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, to them that have sinned heretofore, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare;

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—

3 s eeing that ye seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me; who to you-ward is not weak, but is powerful in you:

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

4 f or he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him through the power of God toward you.

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.

5 T ry your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate.

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.

6 B ut I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate.

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

7 N ow we pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that ye may do that which is honorable, though we be as reprobate.

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.

8 F or we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

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

9 F or we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong: this we also pray for, even your perfecting.

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

10 F or this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for casting down.

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. Greetings and Benediction

11 F inally, brethren, farewell. Be perfected; be comforted; be of the same mind; live in peace: and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

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.

12 S alute one another with a holy kiss.

Greet one another with a holy kiss.

13 A ll the saints salute you.

All the saints greet you.

14 T he grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

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