Examine Yourselves

1This, I say, is the third time I am coming to you: and at the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. 2I said before, and I again tell you beforehand, as if I were present the second time; and being absent I now write to those who have sinned heretofore, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare: 3since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but is powerful among you. 4For if He was crucified as from weakness, yet He now liveth by the power of God: for we also are weak in Him, but shall live with Him by the power of God manifested to you.

5Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove yourselves: do ye not know yourselves to be such that Jesus Christ is in you? unless ye are reprovable. 6But I hope ye will soon know that we are not disapproved. 7I pray to God that ye may do no evil: and not that we may appear to be approved by your punishment, but that ye may do that which is good, though we should seem to be disapproved. 8For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 9For we rejoice when we exert not our power, and when ye are strong: as this is what we wish, even your perfection. 10Therefore I write these things while absent, that when present I may not use severity, according to the power which the Lord hath given me for edification, and not for destruction.

Benediction and Farewell

11Finally, my brethren, farewel: be reformed, be exhorted, be of one mind, live in peace: and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12Salute one another with an holy kiss. 13All the saints salute you. May the favor of the Lord Jesus Christ,

14and the love of God, and the communication of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.