Final Warnings and Exhortations

1This is the third time I am coming to you.a Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.b c 2I gave a warning when I was present the second time, and now I give a warninga while I am absent to those who sinned before and to all the rest: If I come again, I will not be lenient, 3since you seek proof of Christ speaking in me.a He is not weak in dealing with you, but powerful among you. 4For he was crucifieda in weakness, but he livesb by the power of God. For we also are weak in him,c but in dealing with you we will lived with him by God’s power.

5Testa 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.A 6And I hope you will recognize that we ourselves do not fail the test. 7But 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,a even though we may appear to fail. 8For we can’t do anything against the truth,a but only for the truth. 9We rejoice when we are weak and you are strong.a We also pray that you become fully mature.A 10This is why I am writing these things while absent, so that when I am there I may not have to deal harshly with you, in keeping with the authority the Lord gave me for building upa and not for tearing down.b

11Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice.A Become mature, be encouraged,B be of the same mind,a be at peace,b and the God of lovec and peace will be with you. 12Greet one another with a holy kiss.a All the saints send you greetings.

13The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the lovea of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.a b