Examine Yourselves

1This is the third time that I am coming to you. ON THE [a]TESTIMONY OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY MATTER SHALL BE CONFIRMED. 2I have previously said when I was present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone, 3since you are seeking proof of the Christ who speaks in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. 4For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we too are weak [b]in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.

5Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you [c]fail the test? 6But I expect that you will realize that we ourselves [d]do not fail the test. 7Now we pray to God that you do nothing wrong; not so that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, though we may [e]appear unapproved. 8For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak, but you are strong; this we also pray for, [f]that you become mature. 10For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

11Finally, brothers and sisters, [g]rejoice, mend your ways, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13All the [h]saints greet you.

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