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1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
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2 I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:
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3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.
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4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
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5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
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6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
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7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
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8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
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9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
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10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.
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11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
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12 Greet one another with an holy kiss.
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13 All the saints salute you.
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14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
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- 1 This is the third time I am coming to you. EVERY FACT IS TO BE CONFIRMED BY THE TESTIMONY OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES.
- 2 I have previously said when present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone,
- 3 since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you.
- 4 For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God {directed toward you.
- 5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?
- 6 But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test.
- 7 Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved.
- 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.
- 9 For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete.
- 10 For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.
- 11 Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
- 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
- 13 All the saints greet you.
- 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
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