1 This is 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 before, and I say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now while absent I write to those who have sinned before and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare,
3 since you seek proof of the Christ who speaks in me, who is not weak toward you but is mighty among you.
4 For even if he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives by the power of God; for we too are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
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 indeed you are disapproved.
6 But I hope you will know that we are not disapproved.
7 Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we may appear approved, but that you may do what is good, even though we may seem disapproved.
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
9 For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong; and this also we pray for: that you be made complete.
10 For this reason I write these things while absent, that when present I may not deal sharply, according to the authority the Lord gave me for building up and not for pulling down.
11 Finally, brothers, rejoice; be made complete, be comforted, be of the same mind, be at peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
13 All the saints greet you.
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.