Hebrew Names Version HNV
The Message Bible MSG
1 This is the third time I am coming to you. "At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word established."
1
Well, this is my third visit coming up. Remember the Scripture that says, "A matter becomes clear after two or three witnesses give evidence"?
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 to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare;
2
On my second visit I warned that bunch that keeps sinning over and over in the same old ways that when I came back I wouldn't go easy on them. Now, preparing for the third, I'm saying it again from a distance. If you haven't changed your ways by the time I get there, look out.
3 seeing that you seek a proof of Messiah that speaks in me; who toward you is not weak, but is powerful in you.
3
You who have been demanding proof that Christ speaks through me will get more than you bargained for. You'll get the full force of Christ, don't think you won't.
4 For he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we will live with him through the power of God toward you.
4
He was sheer weakness and humiliation when he was killed on the Cross, but oh, he's alive now - in the mighty power of God! We weren't much to look at, either, when we were humiliated among you, but when we deal with you this next time, we'll be alive in Christ, strengthened by God.
5 Test your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don't you know as to your own selves, that Yeshua the Messiah is in you? Unless indeed you are disqualified.
5
Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it.
6 But I hope that you will know that we aren't disqualified.
6
I hope the test won't show that we have failed.
7 Now I pray to God that you do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that you may do that which is honorable, though we are as reprobate.
7
But if it comes to that, we'd rather the test showed our failure than yours.
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
8
We're rooting for the truth to win out in you.
9 For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. And this we also pray for, even your perfecting.
9
We couldn't possibly do otherwise. We don't just put up with our limitations; we celebrate them, and then go on to celebrate every strength, every triumph of the truth in you. We pray hard that it will all come together in your lives.
10 For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not deal sharply when present, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for tearing down.
10
I'm writing this to you now so that when I come I won't have to say another word on the subject. The authority the Master gave me is for putting people together, not taking them apart. I want to get on with it, and not have to spend time on reprimands.
11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Be perfected, be comforted, be of the same mind, live in shalom, and the God of love and shalom will be with you.
11
And that's about it, friends. Be cheerful. Keep things in good repair. Keep your spirits up. Think in harmony. Be agreeable. Do all that, and the God of love and peace will be with you for sure.
12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
12
Greet one another with a holy embrace.
13 All the holy ones greet you.
13
All the brothers and sisters here say hello.
14 The grace of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah, the love of God, and the communion of the Ruach HaKodesh, be with you all. Amein.
14
The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.