2Cor 13 | HCSB | STEP | This is the third time I am coming to you . Every fact must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses .

2 Corinthians 13

Final Warnings and Exhortations

1 This is the third time I am coming to you. ^a Every fact must be established by the testimony ^{▼▼Lit mouth} of two or three witnesses. ^{c
,} ^d 2 I gave a warning when I was present the second time, and now I give a warning ^e while I am absent to those who sinned before and to all the rest: If I come again, I will not be lenient, 3 since you seek proof of Christ speaking in me. ^f He is not weak toward you, but powerful among you. 4 In fact, He was crucified ^g in weakness, but He lives ^h by God’s power. For we also are weak in Him, ⁱ yet toward you we will live ^j with Him by God’s power.

5 Test ^k 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. ^{▼▼Or you are disqualified, or you are counterfeit} 6 And I hope you will recognize that we do not fail the test. 7 Now 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, ^m even though we may appear to fail. 8 For we are not able to do anything against the truth, ⁿ but only for the truth. 9 In fact, we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. ^o We also pray that you become fully mature. ^{▼▼Or become complete, or be restored} 10 This is why I am writing these things while absent, that when I am there I will not use severity, in keeping with the authority the Lord gave me for building up ^q and not for tearing down. ^r

11 Finally, ^{▼▼brother(s): The Greek word adelphoi can be used as a reference to males only or to groups that include males and females. It is the context of each usage that determines the proper meaning.}brothers, rejoice. Become mature, be encouraged, be of the same mind, ^t be at peace, ^u and the God of love ^v and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. ^w All the ^{▼▼saint(s)/sanctification/sanctify/sanctified: The work of the Holy Spirit that separates believers in Jesus from the world; at the time of saving faith in Jesus, the believer is made a saint; therefore, all believers are saints. The believer participates with the Spirit in a process of transformation that continues until glorification. The goal of sanctification is progressive conformity to the image of Jesus Christ.}saints greet you.

13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love ^y of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. ^{▼▼Some translations divide these 2 vv. into 3 vv. so that v. 13 begins with All the saints . . . and v. 14 begins with The grace of . . .
,} ^aa