1 T his is the third time I am coming to you. “At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be 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, I write to those who have sinned before now, 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 you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me; who toward you 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 lives through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we will 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 E xamine your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don’t you know as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

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 you will know that we aren’t disqualified.

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

7 N ow I pray to God that you do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that you may do that which is honorable, though we are 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 you are strong. And 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 deal sharply when present, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for tearing 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, brothers, rejoice. Be perfected, be comforted, be of the same mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will 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 G reet one another with a holy kiss.

Greet one another with a holy kiss.

13 A ll the saints greet you.

All the saints greet you.

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

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