13:1 This will be my third visit to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
13:2 I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others,
13:3 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.
13:4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him to serve you.
13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test?
13:6 And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.
13:7 Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed.
13:8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
13:9 We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection.
13:10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority–the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
13:11 Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
13:12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
13:13 All the saints send their greetings.
13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
13:1 This third time I am coming to you; at the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
13:2 I have previously said and I say beforehand, when I was present the second time and being absent now, to those who have sinned before and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare,
13:3 Since you seek a proof of the Christ who is speaking in me, who is not weak unto you but is powerful in you.
13:4 For indeed He was crucified out of weakness, but He lives by the power of God. For indeed we are weak in Him, but we will live together with Him by the power of God directed toward you.
13:5 Test yourselves whether you are in the faith; prove yourselves. Or do you not realize about yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you, unless you are disapproved?
13:6 But I hope that you will know that we are not disapproved.
13:7 Now we pray to God that you do nothing wrong, not that we may appear approved, but that you yourselves may do what is good and we may be as if disapproved.
13:8 For we are not able to do anything against the truth but rather for the truth.
13:9 For we rejoice whenever we are weak and you are powerful; this also we pray for, your perfecting.
13:10 Therefore I write these things while being absent in order that when present I would not have to use severity, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for building up and not for overthrowing.
13:11 Finally, brothers, rejoice, be perfected, be comforted, think the same thing, be at peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
13:12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
13:13 All the saints greet you.
13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.