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Final Warnings and Exhortations

¹ This is the third time I am coming to you.^(C1) Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.^{(F1)(C2) 2} I gave a warning when I was present the second time, and now I give a warning^(C1) 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.^(C1) He is not weak in dealing with you, but powerful among you. ⁴ For he was crucified^(C1) in weakness, but he lives^(C2) by the power of God. For we also are weak in him,^(C3) but in dealing with you we will live^(C4) with him by God’s power.

⁵ Test^(C1) 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.^{(F1) 6} And I hope you will recognize that we ourselves do not fail the test. ⁷ But 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,^(C1) even though we may appear to fail. ⁸ For we can’t do anything against the truth,^(C1) but only for the truth. ⁹ We rejoice when we are weak and you are strong.^(C1) We also pray that you become fully mature.^{(F1) 10} This 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 up^(C1) and not for tearing down.^(C2)

¹¹ Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice.^(F1) Become mature, be encouraged,^(F2) be of the same mind,^(C1) be at peace,^(C2) and the God of love^(C3) and peace will be with you. ¹² Greet one another with a holy kiss.^(C1) All the saints send you greetings.

¹³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love^(C1) of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.^(F1)(C2)

¹ This is the third time I am coming to you.^(a) Every fact must be established by the testimony^[a] of two or three witnesses.^{(b)[b] 2} I gave a warning when I was present the second time, and now I give a warning^(c) 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.^(d) He is not weak toward you, but powerful among you. ⁴ In fact, He was crucified^(e) in weakness, but He lives^(f) by God's power. For we also are weak in Him,^(g) yet toward you we will live^(h) with Him by God's power.

⁵ Test⁽ⁱ⁾ 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.^{[c] 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,^(j) even though we may appear to fail. ⁸ For we are not able to do anything against the truth,^(k) but only for the truth. ⁹ In fact, we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong.^(l) We also pray that you become fully mature.^{[d] 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^(m) and not for tearing down.⁽ⁿ⁾

¹¹ Finally, brothers, rejoice. Become mature, be encouraged, be of the same mind,^(o) be at peace,^(p) and the God of love^(q) and peace will be with you. ¹² Greet one another with a holy kiss.^(r) All the saints greet you.

¹³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love^(s) of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.^[e](t)