| Chapter 13 |
1 |
This third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every matter be established. |
2 |
I have declared beforehand, and I say beforehand as present the second time, and now absent, to those that have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare. |
3 |
Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, (who is not weak towards you, but is powerful among you, |
4 |
for if indeed he has been crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God`s power; for indeed *we* are weak in him, but we shall live with him by God`s power towards you,) |
5 |
examine your own selves if ye be in the faith; prove your own selves: do ye not recognise yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you, unless indeed ye be reprobates? |
6 |
Now I hope that ye will know that *we* are not reprobates. |
7 |
But we pray to God that ye may do nothing evil; not that *we* may appear approved, but that *ye* may do what is right, and *we* be as reprobates. |
8 |
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. |
9 |
For we rejoice when *we* may be weak and *ye* may be powerful. But this also we pray for, your perfecting. |
10 |
On this account I write these things being absent, that being present I may not use severity according to the authority which the Lord has given me for building up, and not for overthrowing. |
11 |
For the rest, brethren, rejoice; be perfected; be encouraged; be of one mind; be at peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. |
12 |
Salute one another with a holy kiss. |
13 |
All the saints salute you. |
14 |
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. |