Final Warnings and Exhortations
1 This is the third time I am coming to you. k Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. Y,l 2 I gave a warning when I was present the second time, and now I give a warning m while I am absent to those who sinned before and to all the rest: If I come again, I will not be lenient, 3 since you seek proof of Christ speaking in me. n He is not weak in dealing with you, but powerful among you. 4 For he was crucified o in weakness, but he lives p by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, q but in dealing with you we will live r with him by God’s power.
5 Test s 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. Z 6 And I hope you will recognize that we ourselves do not fail the test. 7 But 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, t even though we may appear to fail. 8 For we can’t do anything against the truth, u but only for the truth. 9 We rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. v We also pray that you become fully mature. A 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 w and not for tearing down. x
11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice. B Become mature, be encouraged, C be of the same mind, y be at peace, z and the God of love a and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. b All the saints send you greetings.
13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love c of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. D,d