New Living Translation | International Standard Version |
1This is the third time I am coming to visit you (and as the Scriptures say, “The facts of every case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” ). | 1This will be the third time I am coming to you. "Every accusation must be verified by two or three witnesses." |
2I have already warned those who had been sinning when I was there on my second visit. Now I again warn them and all others, just as I did before, that next time I will not spare them. | 2I have already warned those who sinned previously and all the rest. Although I am absent now, I am warning them as I did on my second visit: If I come back, I will not spare you, |
3I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak when he deals with you; he is powerful among you. | 3since you want proof that the Messiah is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you but is making his power felt among you. |
4Although he was crucified in weakness, he now lives by the power of God. We, too, are weak, just as Christ was, but when we deal with you we will be alive with him and will have God’s power. | 4Though he was crucified in weakness, he lives by God's power. We are weak with him, but by God's power we will live for you. |
5Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you ; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. | 5Keep examining yourselves to see whether you are continuing in the faith. Test yourselves! You know, don't you, that Jesus the Messiah lives in you? Could it be that you are failing the test? |
6As you test yourselves, I hope you will recognize that we have not failed the test of apostolic authority. | 6I hope you will realize that we haven't failed our test. |
7We pray to God that you will not do what is wrong by refusing our correction. I hope we won’t need to demonstrate our authority when we arrive. Do the right thing before we come—even if that makes it look like we have failed to demonstrate our authority. | 7We pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not to show that we have not failed the test, but so that you may do what is right, even if we seem to have failed. |
8For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth. | 8For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. |
9We are glad to seem weak if it helps show that you are actually strong. We pray that you will become mature. | 9We are glad when we are weak and you are strong. That is what we are praying for—your maturity. |
10I am writing this to you before I come, hoping that I won’t need to deal severely with you when I do come. For I want to use the authority the Lord has given me to strengthen you, not to tear you down. Paul’s Final Greetings | 10For this reason I am writing this while I am away from you: When I come I do not want to be severe in using the authority the Lord gave me to build you up and not to tear you down. |
11Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. | 11Finally, brothers, goodbye. Keep on growing to maturity. Keep listening to my appeals. Continue agreeing with each other and living in peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. |
12Greet each other with a sacred kiss. | 12Greet one another with a holy kiss. |
13All of God’s people here send you their greetings. | 13All the saints greet you. |
14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. | 14May the grace of the Lord Jesus the Messiah, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you! |
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. | The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. |
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