Examine Yourselves

1This third time I am coming to you⁺. “On the mouth of two or three witnesses every word will be established.”†

2I have said before, and I say it before as being present the second time and being absent now,† to those having sinned before and to all the rest, that if I come to the same again, I will not spare anyone, 3since you⁺ seek proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you⁺ but is powerful among you⁺. 4For† also He was crucified out of weakness, yet He lives out of God's power. For we also are weak in Him, but we will live with Him out of God’s power toward you⁺.

5Test yourselves, whether you⁺ are in the faith; examine yourselves. Or do you⁺ not recognize yourselves that Jesus Christ† is in you⁺?—unless you⁺ are unapproved. 6And I trust that you⁺ will learn that we are not unapproved.

7Now we pray† to God for you⁺ to do nothing wrong, not that we might appear approved, but that you⁺ may do what is right, though we might appear as unapproved. 8For we have no power against the truth, but for the truth. 9For we rejoice when we may be weak but you⁺ may be powerful. This also we pray for: your⁺ perfection.

10Because of this, I write these things being absent, so that being present I should not treat you severely according to the authority that the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

Benediction and Farewell

11Finally, brothers, rejoice! Be perfected, be exhorted,† be of the same mind, be at peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you⁺.

12Greet one another with a holy kiss.

13All the saints greet you⁺.

14The grace of the† Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you⁺.†

Footnotes:

1 Deuteronomy 19:15
2 BYZ and TR include I write
4 BYZ and TR include although.
5 TH Christ Jesus
7 BYZ and TR I pray
11 Or encourage one another
14 F35 our
14 Texts vary in verse numbering for the last three verses of this chapter. BYZ and TR end with Amen.