2 Corinthians 13 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Paul’s Final Advice

13 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 them and all others, just as I did before, that next time I will not spare them.

3 I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak when he deals with you; he is powerful among you. 4 Although he was crucified in weakness, he now lives by the power of God. We, too, are weak, just as Christ was, but when we deal with you we will be alive with him and will have God’s power.

5 Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you[b]; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. 6 As you test yourselves, I hope you will recognize that we have not failed the test of apostolic authority.

7 We pray to God that you will not do what is wrong by refusing our correction. I hope we won’t need to demonstrate our authority when we arrive. Do the right thing before we come—even if that makes it look like we have failed to demonstrate our authority. 8 For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth. 9 We are glad to seem weak if it helps show that you are actually strong. We pray that you will become mature.

10 I am writing this to you before I come, hoping that I won’t need to deal severely with you when I do come. For I want to use the authority the Lord has given me to strengthen you, not to tear you down.

Paul’s Final Greetings

11 Dear brothers and sisters,[c] I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

12 Greet each other with a sacred kiss. 13 All of God’s people here send you their greetings.

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

Footnotes

  1. 13:1 Deut 19:15.
  2. 13:5 Or in you.
  3. 13:11 Greek Brothers.
  4. 13:14 Some English translations include verse 13 as part of verse 12, and then verse 14 becomes verse 13.

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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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