2 Corinthians 13 - GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Paul Tells the Corinthians to Prepare for His Visit

13 This is the third time that I’ll be visiting you. Every accusation must be verified by two or three witnesses. 2 I already warned you when I was with you the second time, and even though I’m not there now, I’m warning you again. When I visit you again, I won’t spare you. That goes for all those who formerly led sinful lives as well as for all the others. 3 Since you want proof that Christ is speaking through me, that’s what you’ll get. Christ isn’t weak in dealing with you. Instead, he makes his power felt among you. 4 He was weak when he was crucified, but by God’s power he lives. We are weak with him, but by God’s power we will live for you with his help.

5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are still in the Christian faith. Test yourselves! Don’t you recognize that you are people in whom Jesus Christ lives? Could it be that you’re failing the test? 6 I hope that you will realize that we haven’t failed the test. 7 We pray to God that you won’t do anything wrong. It’s not that we want to prove that we’ve passed the test. Rather, we want you to do whatever is right, even if we seem to have failed. 8 We can’t do anything against the truth but only to help the truth. 9 We’re glad when we are weak and you are strong. We are also praying for your improvement.

10 That’s why I’m writing this letter while I’m not with you. When I am with you I don’t want to be harsh by using the authority that the Lord gave me. The Lord gave us this authority to help you, not to hurt you.

Farewell

11 With that, brothers and sisters, I must say goodbye. Make sure that you improve. Accept my encouragement. Share the same attitude and live in peace. The God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All of God’s holy people greet you.[a]

13 May the Lord Jesus Christ’s good will,[b] God’s love, and the Holy Spirit’s presence be with all of you!

Footnotes

  1. 13:12 Some English Bibles count the last sentence of verse 12 as verse 13. Verse 13 is then counted as verse 14.
  2. 13:13 Or “grace.”

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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)

13 This is the third time I’m coming to you. ‘Every charge must be substantiated at the mouth of two or three witnesses.’ 2 I said it before when I was with you the second time, and I say it now in advance while I’m away from you, to all those who had sinned previously, and all the others, that whe...
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2 Corinthians 13 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

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.”(A)2 I warned those who sinned previously 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 ...
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2 Corinthians 13 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

He promises to come to them, and he exhorts them to get themselves in order so that he may find them perfect and in harmony. 13 Now I am coming the third time to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall everything be established. 2 I told you before, and I am warning you now, and as I said...
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2 Corinthians 13 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Paul’s Final Advice13 This 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”[a]). 2 I have already warned those who had been sinning when I was there on my second visit. Now I again warn the...
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2 Corinthians 13 - New Life Version (NLV)

13 This is my third visit to you. The Holy Writings tell us that when people think someone has done wrong, it must be proven by two or three people who saw the wrong being done. 2 During my second visit I talked to you who have been sinning and to all the others. While I am away, I tell you this ag...
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2 Corinthians 13 - New King James Version (NKJV)

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