2 Corinthians 13 - Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Final Warnings and Greetings

13 (A) I am on my way to visit you for the third time. And as the Scriptures say, “Any charges must be proved true by at least two or three witnesses.” 2 During my second visit I warned you that I would punish you and anyone else who doesn't stop sinning. I am far away from you now, but I give you the same warning. 3 This should prove to you that I am speaking for Christ. When he corrects you, he won't be weak. He will be powerful! 4 Although he was weak when he was nailed to the cross, he now lives by the power of God. We are weak, just as Christ was. But you will see that we will live by the power of God, just as Christ does.

5 Test yourselves and find out if you really are true to your faith. If you pass the test, you will discover that Christ is living in you. But if Christ isn't living in you, you have failed. 6 I hope you will discover we have not failed. 7 We pray you will stop doing evil things. We don't pray like this to make ourselves look good, but to get you to do right, even if we are failures.

8 All we can do is to follow the truth and not fight against it. 9 Even though we are weak, we are glad that you are strong, and we pray you will do even better. 10 I am writing these things to you before I arrive. This way I won't have to be hard on you when I use the authority the Lord has given me. I was given this authority, so I could help you and not destroy you.

11 Goodbye, my friends. Do better and pay attention to what I have said. Try to get along and live peacefully with each other.

Now I pray that God, who gives love and peace, will be with you. 12 Give each other a warm greeting. All God's people send their greetings.

13 I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will bless you and be kind to you! May God bless you with his love, and may the Holy Spirit join all your hearts together.

Cross references

  1. 13.1 : Dt 17.5-7; 19.15.

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2 Corinthians 13 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

13 This third time do I come unto you; on the mouth of two witnesses or three shall every saying be established; 2 I have said before, and I say [it] before, as being present, the second time, and being absent, now, do I write to those having sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again,...
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2 Corinthians 13 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

13 Lo! this third time I come to you, and in the mouth of two or of three witnesses [and in the mouth of two or three witnesses] every word shall stand. 2 I said before, and [I] say before, as present twice, and now absent, to them that before have sinned, and to all others; for if I come again, I ...
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2 Corinthians 13 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

13 This is the third time I am coming to you. The holy writings say `Any complaint must be proved by the words of two or three people.' 2 I have told you before, when I visited you the second time. And I tell you again now, while I am not there. When I come again, I will punish those who did wrong b...
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2 Corinthians 13 - World English Bible (WEB)

13 This is the third time I am coming to you. “At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”Deuteronomy 19:15 2 I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, I write to those who have sinned before now, and t...
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2 Corinthians 13 - The Voice (VOICE)

13 This is my third trip to your city and community. As the Scripture says, “Every charge must be confirmed by two or three witnesses.”[a] 2 As I said before on my second visit, I say now again while absent. Consider this an advance warning, if you wish, to those of you still caught up in your old ...
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2 Corinthians 13 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Final Warnings13 This is the third time I am coming to you. “By the testimony[a] of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” [b] 2 I spoke a warning, when I was with you the second time. Though now I am away, I am again speaking a warning to those who have sinned before, as well as t...
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2 Corinthians 13 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Further Warning13 This is the third time I am coming to you. Any charge must be sustained by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 2 I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spa...
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2 Corinthians 13 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

13 This is the third time that I come to you. In the mouths of two or three witnesses shall every word stand. 2 I told you before, and tell you now beforehand, as though I had been present a second time. So I write now - being absent from those who until now have sinned, and to all others - that if ...
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2 Corinthians 13 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

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2 Corinthians 13 - New Living Translation (NLT)

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