| 1 | This is the third time that I am coming to you. By the testimony of two or three witnesses must any charge
and
every accusing statement be sustained
and
confirmed. |
| 2 | I have already warned those who sinned formerly and all the rest also, and I warn them now again while I am absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come back, I will not spare [them], |
| 3 | Since you desire
and
seek [perceptible] proof of the Christ Who speaks in
and
through me. [For He] is not weak
and
feeble in dealing with you, but is a mighty power within you; |
| 4 | For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He goes on living by the power of God. And though we too are weak in Him [as He was humanly weak], yet in dealing with you [we shall show ourselves] alive
and
strong in [fellowship with] Him by the power of God. |
| 5 | Examine
and
test
and
evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith
and
showing the proper fruits of it. Test
and
prove yourselves [
[a]not Christ]. Do you not yourselves realize
and
know [thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you are [counterfeits] disapproved on trial
and
rejected? |
| 6 | But I hope you will recognize
and
know that we are not disapproved on trial
and
rejected. |
| 7 | But I pray to God that you may do nothing wrong, not in order that we [
[b]our teaching] may appear to be approved, but that you may continue doing right, [though] we may seem to have failed
and
be unapproved. |
| 8 | For we can do nothing against the Truth [
[c]not serve any party or personal interest], but only for the Truth [
[d]which is the Gospel]. |
| 9 | For we are glad when we are weak (
[e]unapproved) and you are really strong. And this we also pray for: your all-round strengthening
and
perfecting of soul. |
| 10 | So I write these things while I am absent from you, that when I come to you, I may not have to deal sharply in my use of the authority which the Lord has given me [to be employed, however] for building [you] up and not for tearing [you] down. |
| 11 | Finally, brethren, farewell (rejoice)! Be strengthened (perfected, completed, made what you ought to be); be encouraged
and
consoled
and
comforted; be of the same [agreeable] mind one with another; live in peace, and [then] the God of love [Who is the Source of affection, goodwill, love, and benevolence toward men] and the Author
and
Promoter of peace will be with you. |
| 12 | Greet one another with a consecrated kiss. |
| 13 | All the saints (the people of God here) salute you. |
| 14 | The grace (favor and spiritual blessing) of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the presence
and
fellowship (the communion and sharing together, and participation) in the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Amen (so be it).
|
Cross references:
-
2 Corinthians 13:1 : Deut. 19:15.
|