2 Corinthians 13 - J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

13 This third time I am really coming to you in person. Remember the ancient law: ‘By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established’.

2-4 My previous warning, given on my second visit, still stands and, though absent, I repeat it now as though I were present—my coming will not mean leniency for those who had sinned before that visit and those who have sinned since. It will in fact be a proof that I speak by the power of Christ. The Christ you have to deal with is not a weak person outside you, but a tremendous power inside you. He was “weak” enough to be crucified, yes, but he lives now by the power of God. I am weak as he was weak, but I am strong enough to deal with you for I share his life by the power of God.

Why not test yourselves instead of me?

5-8 You should be looking at yourselves to make sure that you are really Christ’s. It is yourselves that you should be testing, not me. You ought to know by this time that Christ is in you, unless you are not real Christians at all. And when you have applied your test, I am confident that you will soon find that I myself am a genuine Christian. I pray God that you may find the right answer to your test, not because I have any need of your approval, but because I earnestly want you to find the right answer, even if that should make me no real Christian. For, after all, we can make no progress against the truth; we can only work for the truth.

9-10 We are glad to be weak if it means that you are strong. Our ambition for you is true Christian maturity. Hence the tone of this letter, so that when I do come I shall not be obliged to use that power of severity which God has given me—though even that is not meant to break you down but to build you up.

Finally, Farewell

11 Last of all then, my brothers, good-bye! Set your hearts on this maturity I have spoken of, consider my advice, live in harmony, be at peace with one another. So shall the God of love and peace be ever with you.

12-13 A handshake all round, please! All the Christians here send greeting.

14 The grace that comes through our Lord Jesus Christ, the love that is of God the Father, and the fellowship that is ours in the Holy Spirit be with you all!

PAUL

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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)

Coming with Authority13 This will be (A)the third time I am coming to you. (B)“By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.” 2 (C)I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent [a]I write to those (D)who have sinned before,...
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