2 Corinthians

13 This makes the third time I am coming to you, “Every point shall be established at the mouths of two witnesses, and of three.” 2 I have said beforehand, and am saying beforehand, the same now that I am away as when I was there the second time, that if I come again I will not spare, 3 since you are looking for evidence of the genuineness of the Christ who speaks in me— 4* who is not weak toward you, but is powerful in you; for he was crucified as a result of weakness, but he is alive as a result of God’s power; for we too are weak in him but shall live with him as a result of God’s power toward you. 5 Make the test of yourselves, if you are in the faith; see about your own genuineness. Or do you not recognize in your own case that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless you are counterfeit, 6 but I hope you will find that we are not counterfeits. 7 But we pray to God that you may not do anything bad, not in order that we may show up as genuine but that you may be doing what is good and we be as if we were counterfeits; 8 for we cannot do anything against the truth, but for the truth. 9 For we are glad when we are weak but you are powerful; this is the very thing we are praying for, your advance to soundness. 10 That is why I write this while I am away, so that when I am there I may not act rigorously under the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for demolishing.

11 For the rest, brothers, be joyous, sound, cheerful, unanimous, peaceful, and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Give my greetings to each other with a holy kiss. 13 All God’s people send you greetings.

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.