The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians

⭑ Unlocked Literal Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

⮜ Back | Contents | Next ⮞

- Chapter 13 -

This is the third time that I am coming to you. “Every accusation must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.”

I have already said to those who sinned before and to all the rest when I was there the second time, and I say it again: When I come again, I will not spare them.

I tell you this because you are looking for evidence that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak toward you. Instead, he is powerful in you.

For he was crucified in weakness, but he is alive by God’s power. For we also are weak in him, but we will live with him by the power of God among you.

Examine yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you? He is, unless you are not approved.

And I am confident that you will find that we are not unapproved.

Now we pray to God that you may not do any wrong. I do not pray that we may appear to have passed the test. Instead, I pray that you may do what is right, although we may seem to have failed the test.

For we are not able to do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray that you may be made complete.

I write these things while I am away from you, so that when I am with you I do not have to deal harshly with you in the use of my authority-which the Lord gave to me, so that I may build you up, and not tear you down.

Benediction and Farewell

finally, brothers, rejoice! Work for restoration, be encouraged, agree with one another, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Greet each other with a holy kiss.

All of the believers greet you.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

This is the third time I am coming to you. “At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”(a)

I have warned previously, and I warn again, 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,

seeing that you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me who is not weak, but is powerful in you.

For 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.

Examine your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don’t you know about your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

But I hope that you will know that we aren’t disqualified.

Now 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 may seem to have failed.

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

For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray for this: your becoming perfect.

For 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.

Benediction and Farewell

Finally, 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.

Greet one another with a holy kiss.

All the saints greet you.

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

Footnotes

(a)13:1 ℘ Deuteronomy 19:15