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2 Corinthians

Paul defends his apostleship and teaches on the power of God in weakness and the importance of generous giving.

Chapter 13

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1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

*This is my third visit to you. Every statement needs to be confirmed by two or three witnesses.

2 I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:

*I warned you earlier, and I'm telling you again. This is like I'm with you now, the second time. Even though I'm not there, I write to those who have done wrong before and everyone else. If I visit again, I won't hold back.

3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.

*If you want evidence that Christ speaks through me, know that it's strong and powerful for you, not weak.

4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

*Even though he died on a cross because he was weak, he still lives because of God's strength. We, too, are weak like him, but we will live with his help through God's power that is directed towards you.

5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

*Check if you truly believe; test yourself. Don't you know if you really have Jesus Christ within you, unless you are failing badly?

6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.

*But I believe you will understand that we are not bad people.

7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.

*I ask God for you not to do bad things. It's not because we want to look good or righteous, but so you can do what is fair and honest, even if it means we might face negative consequences.

8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

*We cannot go against the truth, but only for it.

9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

*We're happy when we're weak and you're strong; we also want your complete growth.

10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.

*So, I write this when I'm not there, so that when I am with you, I won't have to be harsh. Instead, I'll use the strength the Lord has given me to build up, not tear down.

11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

*In the end, friends, goodbye. Be completely good, be encouraging, agree together, live peacefully; then the God of love and peace will be with you.

12 Greet one another with an holy kiss.

*Say hello to each other with a sacred hug.

13 All the saints salute you.

*All the holy people greet you.

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

*May the kindness of Jesus, God's love, and the fellowship of the Spirit be with you all. Amen.

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* work in progress, there will be mistakes

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