Final Warnings and Exhortations
1 This is the third time I am coming to you. On the testimony of two or three witnesses every word will be confirmed.
2
I gave warning, and I give warning-as when I was present the second time, so now while I am absent-to those who sinned before and to all the rest: if I come again, I will not be lenient,
3
since you seek proof of Christ speaking in me. He is not weak toward you, but powerful among you.
4
In fact, He was crucified in weakness, but He lives by God's power. For we also are weak in Him, yet toward you we will live with Him by God's power.
5
Test yourselves [to see] if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you not recognize for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you?-unless you fail the test.
6
And I hope you will recognize that we are not failing the test.
7
Now we pray to God that you do nothing wrong, not that we may appear to pass the test, but that you may do what is right, even though we [may appear] to fail.
8
For we are not able to do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
9
In fact, we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray for this: your maturity.
10
This is why I am writing these things while absent, that when I am there I will not use severity, in keeping with the authority the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.