| Holman Christian Standard Bible | Berean Study Bible |
| 1This is the third time I am coming to you. Every fact must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. | 1This is the third time I am coming to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” |
| 2I gave a warning when I was present the second time, and now I give a warning while I am absent to those who sinned before and to all the rest: If I come again, I will not be lenient, | 2I already warned you the second time I was with you. So now in my absence I warn those who sinned earlier and everyone else: If I return, I will not spare anyone, |
| 3since you seek proof of Christ speaking in me. He is not weak toward you, but powerful among you. | 3since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. |
| 4In fact, He was crucified in weakness, but He lives by God's power. For we also are weak in Him, yet toward you we will live with Him by God's power. | 4For He was indeed crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. And though we are weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him to serve you. |
| 5Test 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. | 5Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test? |
| 6And I hope you will recognize that we do not fail the test. | 6And I hope you will realize that we have not failed the test. |
| 7Now 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, even though we may appear to fail. | 7Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not that we will appear to have stood the test, but that you will do what is right, even if we appear to have failed. |
| 8For we are not able to do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. | 8For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. |
| 9In fact, we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray that you become fully mature. | 9In fact, we rejoice when we are weak but you are strong, and our prayer is for your perfection. |
| 10This is why I am writing these things while absent, that when I am there I will not use severity, in keeping with the authority the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down. | 10This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down. |
| 11Finally, brothers, rejoice. Become mature, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. | 11Finally, brothers, rejoice! Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. |
| 12Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. | 12Greet one another with a holy kiss. |
| 13The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. | 13All the saints send you greetings. |
| 14 | 14The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. |
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