| NET Bible | New International Version |
| 1This is the third time I am coming to visit you. By the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter will be established. | 1This will be my third visit to you. "Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses." |
| 2I said before when I was present the second time and now, though absent, I say again to those who sinned previously and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare anyone, | 2I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, |
| 3since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak toward you but is powerful among you. | 3since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. |
| 4For indeed he was crucified by reason of weakness, but he lives because of God's power. For we also are weak in him, but we will live together with him, because of God's power toward you. | 4For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him in our dealing with you. |
| 5Put yourselves to the test to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you--unless, indeed, you fail the test! | 5Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test? |
| 6And I hope that you will realize that we have not failed the test! | 6And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. |
| 7Now we pray to God that you may not do anything wrong, not so that we may appear to have passed the test, but so that you may do what is right even if we may appear to have failed the test. | 7Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong--not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. |
| 8For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the sake of the truth. | 8For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. |
| 9For we rejoice whenever we are weak, but you are strong. And we pray for this: that you may become fully qualified. | 9We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored. |
| 10Because of this I am writing these things while absent, so that when I arrive I may not have to deal harshly with you by using my authority--the Lord gave it to me for building up, not for tearing down! | 10This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority--the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down. |
| 11Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice, set things right, be encouraged, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. | 11Finally, 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. |
| 12Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. | 12Greet one another with a holy kiss. |
| 13The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. | 13All God's people here send their greetings. |
| 14[[EMPTY]] | 14May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. |
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