1 THIS third time I am coming to you. "By the evidence of two witnesses, or three, every matter shall be proved."

2 Those who have been long sinning and all the rest I have forewarned and now forewarn, when I was present with you the second time and now when absent, that if I come again I shall not spare;

3 since you are eager to have a test of Christ speaking in me. He is not weak toward you, but powerful among you.

4 He was crucified in weakness, but he is living by the power of God. And we are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God for you.

5 Test yourselves whether you are in the faith, put yourselves to the proof. Are you not conscious that Jesus Christ is in you? He is, unless you cannot stand the test.

6 I hope that you know that we are not unable to stand the test.

7 I pray to God that you may do nothing evil, not in order that we may seem to stand the test, but in order that you may do the right, though we should seem unable to stand the test.

8 For we cannot do anything against the truth; our power is for the truth.

9 We rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. This we are praying for, your all-round character.

10 For this reason I am writing this while absent, so that when present I may not act with severity in the use of the authority which the Lord gave me for building you up, not for pulling you down.

11 Now, brethren, farewell. Be fully equipped; take courage; be of one mind; live in peace; then the God of love and peace will be with you.

12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.

13 All the holy send greetings.

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