American Standard Version ASV
English Standard Version ESV
1 This is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses or three shall every word established.
1
This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
2 I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, to them that have sinned heretofore, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare;
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 spare them—
3 seeing that ye seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me; who to you-ward is not weak, but is powerful in you:
3
since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.
4 for he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him through the power of God toward you.
4
For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.
5 Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate.
5
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
6 But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate.
6
I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test.
7 Now we pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that ye may do that which is honorable, though we be as reprobate.
7
But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed.
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
8
For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
9 For we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong: this we also pray for, even your perfecting.
9
For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.
10 For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for casting down.
10
For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.
11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfected; be comforted; be of the same mind; live in peace: and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
11
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
12 Salute one another with a holy kiss.
12
Greet one another with a holy kiss.
13 All the saints salute you.
13
All the saints greet you.
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
14
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.