1 ¶ I am coming to you for the third time. And, every matter will be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

2 I warned you before, when I was with you the second time, and I warn you again being absent; that when I return I will not spare those who have been sinning up to now, or any others:

3 Since you want proof that Christ is speaking through me, and is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.

4 Yes, he was crucified in weakness, but he lives by the power of God. Yes, we are weak in him, but we shall live with him through the power of God on your behalf.

5 Examine yourselves, to see if you are in the faith; test yourselves. Don’t you know yourselves, or realize that Jesus Christ is in you, unless you are outside the faith?

6 Moreover I hope that you will know that we are not outside the faith.

7 ¶ Now I pray to God that you will not wind up doing anything wrong; not so that we will look good, but so that you on your part will start doing what is right, and enact discipline regardless of how it makes us look.

8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and you are strong: and that is what we pray for, namely that you be fully functional as a congregation.

10 Therefore I am writing these things while absent, so that when I come I might not have to deal harshly, in exercising the authority that the Lord has given me for building up, not tearing down.

11 ¶ Finally, brethren, farewell. Mend your ways, heed my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

12 Greet one another with an holy kiss.

13 All the saints send their greetings.

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