1 This is the third time I am coming to you. Every matter must be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

2 I have said before, and I am saying again now as though present, even though I am absent, to those who have sinned previously and to all the rest: If I come again, I will not spare anyone.

I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:

3 Since you are looking for proof that Christ is speaking through me, who is not weak in dealing with you but is powerful among you.

Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.

4 For though He was crucified in weakness, He lives by the power of God. Likewise, we are weak in Him, but we will live with Him by God’s power for your benefit.

For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

6 And I hope that you will discover that we have not failed the test.

But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.

7 We pray to God that you may not do anything wrong—not so that we may appear approved, but so that you may do what is right, even if we may seem to have failed.

Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.

8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

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

9 We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored.

For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

10 This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I come, I may not have to be harsh in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not tearing you down.

Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.

11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.

Greet one another with an holy kiss.

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

All the saints salute you.