Chapter 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy his brother, to the church of God which is in Corinth, and to all the saints who are throughout Achaea:
2 Grace and peace be given to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
3 Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our tribulations, so that, with the comfort we ourselves receive from him, we may be able to comfort others in all their afflictions!
5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also through Christ our comfort abounds.
6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which enables you to bear with patience the same sufferings that we also endure.
7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that, as you share in our sufferings, you also share in our comfort.
8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the tribulation which came upon us in Asia, that we were so overcome beyond measure, beyond our strength, that we despaired even of life;
9 But we had in ourselves the decree of our death, so that we might not put our trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead.
10 It is he who has delivered us from this imminent death, who delivers us from it, and who, we hope, will deliver us in the future,
11 Above all if you yourselves also assist us with your prayers, so that this benefit, being granted to us in consideration of many people, may also be for a great number the occasion to give thanks on our behalf.
12 For our boast is this testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, with sincerity and godly sincerity, not with earthly wisdom, but with the grace of God.
13 We are not writing you anything other than what you read and what you already know well; and what, I hope, you will recognize to the end,
14 — as some of you know us, — that we are your glory, just as you will also be ours on the day of the Lord Jesus.
15 In this conviction, I had intended to come to you first, so that you might receive a double blessing:
16 I wanted to pass through your country on my way to Macedonia, and then come back from Macedonia to you, and you would have sent me on my way to Judea.
17 Did I then act lightly in forming this plan? Or do I make plans according to the flesh, so that there is both yes and no within me?
18 As surely as God is faithful, the word that we have spoken to you is not yes and no.
19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we preached among you, Silvanus, Timothy and I, was not yes and no, but in him there was only yes.
20 For as far as there are promises of God, they are yes in Jesus; therefore also through him the amen is spoken, to the glory of God, through our ministry.
21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He has anointed us.,
22 who also sealed us and gave us the Holy Spirit in our hearts as a deposit.
23 For my part, I call God to witness on my soul that it was to spare you that I did not go back to Corinth;
24 Not that we presume to rule over your faith, but we work with you for your joy; for in the faith you stand firm.
Chapter 2
1 So I promised myself that I would not return to you in sadness.
2 For if I myself cause you grief, from whom can I expect joy? Is it not from the very one whom I have grieved?
3 I have written to you as I have done, so that when I arrive I will not be saddened by those who were to give me joy, having in all of you this confidence, that you all rejoice in mine.
4 For it was out of great affliction and anguish of my heart, and with many tears, that I wrote to you, not to grieve you, but to make known to you the love that I have for you.
5 If anyone has caused grief, it is not me he has grieved, but all of you in a way, so as not to burden him too much.
6 This man has received enough punishment from the majority,
7 so that you should rather show him mercy and comfort him, lest he be consumed by excessive sorrow.
8 I therefore urge you to make a charitable decision towards him.
9 For in writing to you, my purpose was also to find out, by testing, whether you would obey me in all things.
10 Whom you forgive, I also forgive; for if I have forgiven anything, it is for your sake and in the sight of Christ.,
11 so that we would not be able to gain the upper hand over us; for we are not unaware of his schemes.
12 When I arrived in Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, although a door was opened to me there in the Lord,
13 My mind was not at rest, because I did not find there Tite, my brother; therefore, having taken leave of the brothers, I departed for Macedonia.
14 But thanks be to God, who leads us in triumphal procession in Christ at all times, and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him!
15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing:
16 To some, an odor of death, which brings death; to others, an odor of life, which brings life. — And who then is capable of such a ministry?
17 For we are not like most, we do not adulterate the word of God; but in Christ Jesus we proclaim it in its purity, as it comes from God.
Chapter 3
1 Are we starting to recommend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some, letters of recommendation from you or from you?
2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by all men.
3 Yes, evidently you are a letter from Christ, written by our ministry, not with ink, but by the Spirit of the living God; not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of flesh, on your hearts.
4 This confidence we have through Christ for the sake of God.
5 Not that we are capable of conceiving anything as coming from ourselves; but our competence comes from God.
6 He has also made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
7 Now if the ministry of death, engraved in letters on stone, was surrounded by glory, so that the children of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the radiance of his countenance, though he was a passing man,
8 How much more will the ministry of the Spirit be surrounded by glory?
9 For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, the ministry of righteousness surpasses it by far.
10 And even in this respect, what was glorified in the past has not been so in comparison with this infinitely superior glory.
11 For if what was temporary was given in glory, how much more will what is permanent be glorious.
12 Since we have this hope, we exercise great freedom,
13 and we are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel would not see the end of what was passing away.
14 But their minds were blinded. For to this day, when they read the Old Testament, the same veil remains unremoved, because it is in Christ that it is lifted.
15 Even today, when Moses is read, a veil is spread over their hearts;
16 But as soon as their hearts turn to the Lord, the veil will be removed.
17 Now the Lord is the spirit, and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
18 For we all, with unveiled face, reflecting the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image, becoming ever more radiant, as from the Lord, who is spirit.
Chapter 4
1 Therefore, having been invested with this ministry according mercy that which has been done to us, we do not lose courage.
2 We have put away from us shameful things which are done in secret, not walking in craftiness, nor distorting the word of God; but, by manifesting the truth freely, we commend ourselves to the conscience of all men in the sight of God.
3 If our gospel is veiled, it is veiled for those who are perishing, for those who do not believe.
4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel, where shines the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord. We call ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” is the one who has shone in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God., which shines on the face of Christ.
7 But we carry this treasure in earthen vessels, so that it may appear that this sovereign power of the Gospel comes from God and not from us.
8 We are oppressed in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not lost;
10 always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.
11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our mortal flesh.
12 So death is at work in us, and life in you.
13 Having the same spirit of faith, as it is written: »I believed, therefore I spoke,» we also believe, and therefore we speak,
14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.
15 For all this is done for your sake, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow, to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
17 For our light and momentary affliction is achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs it,
18 Our eyes do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are seen are but for a time, the things which are unseen are eternal.
Chapter 5
1 For we know that if this earthly tent is destroyed, we have a house from God, an eternal house not made with hands, in heaven.
2 For we groan in this tent, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling,
3 if at least we are found clothed, and not naked.
4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not want to take off our garment, but to put on the other over it, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
5 And it is God who has prepared us for this, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing our faith.
6 Therefore, being always full of confidence, and knowing that as long as we dwell in the body, we are away from the Lord,
7 — for we walk by faith, not by sight, —
8 In this confidence, we would prefer to depart from this body and dwell with the Lord.
9 That is why we make it our aim to please God, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due for what we have done while in the body, whether good or evil.
11 Therefore, being filled with the fear of the Lord, we seek to convince men; as for God, he knows us intimately, and I hope that in your consciences you know us also.
12 For we do not come not to commend ourselves to you again; but to provide you with the opportunity to boast about us, so that you may answer those who boast of appearances, and not of what is in the heart.
13 For if we are out of our minds, it is for God; if we are in our right minds, it is for you.
14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we are convinced that if one died for all, then all died;
15 and that he died for all, so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died and rose again for them.
16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh; and though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we do so no longer.
17 Therefore, whoever is in Christ Jesus is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, all things have become new.
18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.
19 For in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting people’s sins against them, and putting on our lips the message of reconciliation.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you for Christ’s sake: Be reconciled to God!
21 For us, he who knew no sin was made to be sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Chapter 6
1 Therefore, as his co-workers we urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
2 For he says, »In the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.» Behold, now is the time of favor, behold, the day of salvation.
3 We do not give cause for scandal in any way, so that our ministry may not be an object of reproach.
4 But we commend ourselves in every way, as servants of God, by great endurance, in tribulations, in necessities, in distresses,
5 under blows, in prisons, through riots, in labors, vigils, fasts;
6 by purity, by knowledge, by forbearance, by kindness, through the Holy Spirit, through sincere charity,
7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;
8 amidst honor and disgrace, amidst bad reputation and good reputation; called imposters, yet truthful; unknown, yet well known;
9 We were regarded as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and are not put to death;
10 as sorrowful, we who are always joyful; as poor, we who make many rich; as having nothing, we who possess everything.
11 Our mouth has been opened to you, O Corinthians, our heart has been enlarged.
12 You are not cramped in our bowels, but yours have become cramped.
13 Return the favor, — I speak to you as to my Children, — you too, open your hearts.
14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with wickedness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
15 What agreement is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God himself has said: »I will live among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.«
17 »Therefore come out from among them and separate yourselves, says the Lord; do not touch what is unclean and I will receive you.
18 «I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,” says the Lord Almighty.«
Chapter 7
1 Therefore, since we have these promises, beloved, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, and let us complete the work of holiness in the fear of God.
2 Receive us. We have not harmed anyone, we have not ruined anyone, we have not exploited anyone.
3 I do not say this to condemn you, for I have just said that you are in our hearts to life and death.
4 I speak to you frankly, I have great reason to boast about you; I am filled with comfort, I abound with joy in all our tribulations.
5 For since our arrival in Macedonia, our flesh had no rest; we were afflicted on every side: outside with fighting, inside with fears.
6 But God, who comforts the humble, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
7 not only by his arrival, but also by the consolation that Tite He himself had felt it about you: he told us about your ardent desire, your tears, your jealous love for me, so that my joy was greater.
8 Thus, although I saddened you with my letter, I no longer regret it, though I did at first regret it—for I see that this letter saddened you, if only for a moment—
9 I rejoice now, not that you were grieved, but that your grief led you to repentance; for you were grieved in a godly way, so that you might not suffer harm from us.
10 For godly sorrow produces saving repentance, which is never regretted, whereas worldly sorrow produces death.
11 And what earnestness has not this godly sorrow produced in you! What am I saying? What self-justification! What indignation! What fear! What earnest desire! What zeal! What severity! You have shown in every respect that you were innocent in this matter.
12 Therefore, I have written to you not because of the one who did the wrong, nor because of the one who received it, but so that your devotion to us may be displayed among you before God.
13 This is what comforted us. But to this comfort was added a much greater joy, that which we experienced joy of Tite, whose mind you have calmed.
14 And if I boasted a little about you before him, I was not ashamed; but just as we have always spoken to you according to the truth, so too the praise I have given of you to Tite turned out to be the truth.
15 His heart feels a redoubled affection for you, remembering your obedience to all, the fear, the trembling with which you received him.
16 I am happy to be able to count on you in all things.
Chapter 8
1 We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace God has given to the faithful of the Churches of Macedonia.
2 In the midst of many afflictions which tested them, their joy was full, and their deep poverty produced the abundant bounty of their simplicity.
3 I attest that they gave voluntarily according to their means, and even beyond their means,
4 earnestly asking us for the grace to take part in this ministry for the saints.
5 And not only did they fulfill our hope, but they gave themselves, first to the Lord, and then to us, by the prompting of God.
6 So we prayed Tite to also go to your home to complete this work of charity, as he had begun it.
7 Just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this act of grace.
8 I am not saying this to give an order, but I am taking advantage of the zeal of others to test also the sincerity of your own charity.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through him might become rich. poverty.
10 This is an opinion I give here, because you need nothing else, you who, first of all, began last year not only to execute, but also to form the plan.
11 Now therefore complete the work itself, so that the execution according to your means may correspond in you to the eagerness of the will.
12 When goodwill exists, it is pleasing, according to what one has, and not according to what one does not have.
13 For there must not be relief for others and distress for you, but equality:
14 In the present circumstances, your surplus is supplying what they lack, so that in the same way their surplus may supply what you need, so that there may be equality,
15 As it is written: »The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not lack anything.«
16 Thanks be to God, that he has put the same zeal for you in the heart of Titus;
17 Not only has he welcomed our prayer, but he is now even more eager and is going to you of his own free will.
18 We are sending with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his preaching of the Gospel,
19 and who, moreover, has been chosen by the vote of the Churches to be our traveling companion in this work of charity which we are carrying out to the glory of the Lord himself, and as proof of our goodwill.
20 We are taking this measure so that no one can blame us about this abundant collection which we are taking care of;
21 For we are concerned about what is right, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of men.
22 With them we are also sending our brother, whose zeal we have often tested on many occasions, and who shows even more zeal this time because of his great confidence in you.
23 Thus, for Tite, He is my companion and fellow worker among you; and as for our brothers, they are the messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.
24 Therefore, give them proof of your love in the sight of the churches, and do not deny the just pride which we have shown them concerning you.
Chapter 9
1 As for the assistance intended for the saints, it is superfluous to write to you about it;
2 For I know your eagerness, and I boast about it to the Macedonians, telling them that Achaia was ready last year. Your example of zeal has stirred many to action.
3 However, I have sent you the brothers so that the praise I have given you on this point may not be denied, and so that you may be ready, as I said you would be.
4 Take heed: if Macedonians were to come with me and not find you ready, what confusion for me—not to mention for you—in such confidence!
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to ask our brothers to go ahead to you, and to arrange in time your promised gift, so that it may be ready, but as a gift, and not as a stinginess.
6 I tell you, whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for »God loves a cheerful giver.«
8 He is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you may abound in every good work.,
9 As it is written: »He has freely given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.«
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for his food will also supply seed to you and multiply it, and he will increase the fruits of your righteousness;
11 and you will be enriched in every way, so that you may give from a sincere heart what we have gathered together will result in thanksgiving to God.
12 For the distribution of this generosity not only abundantly supplies the needs of the saints, but also richly produces many thanksgivings to God.
13 Because of the proven virtue which this offering shows in you, they glorify God for your obedience in the profession of the Gospel of Christ, and for the sincerity with which you share your gifts with them and with all.
14 They also pray for you, loving you tenderly, because of the surpassing grace that God has placed in you.
15 Thanks be to God for his ineffable gift!
Chapter 10
1 I, Paul, invite you by gentleness And kindness of Christ, — I who appear humble when I am in your midst, but who am bold with you when I am absent!
2 I beg you, that I should not have to use this boldness when I am present, with the assurance that I intend to show against certain people who imagine that we walk according to the flesh.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.
5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we subject every thought to the obedience of Christ.
6 We are also ready to punish any disobedience, when, on your part, your obedience is complete.
7 You're looking at the air! Well, If anyone is persuaded that he belongs to Christ, let him also say to himself, that if he belongs to Christ, we also belong to him.
8 Even if I were to boast a little more about the authority the Lord gave me for building you up and not for tearing you down, I would not be ashamed,
9 so as not to appear to want to intimidate you with my letters.
10 For, as they say, »his letters are severe and forceful; but when he is present, he is a weak man and his word is contemptible.»
11 Let him who speaks in this way understand that as we are from afar in words in our letters, so we are in fact before you.
12 We do not presume to equal ourselves or compare ourselves with certain self-proclaimed individuals. But when they measure themselves by their own standards and compare themselves with themselves, they lack understanding.
13 For our part, we do not boast beyond measure, but according to the measure of the field of action that God has assigned us, to bring us to you:
14 — for we are not overstepping our bounds, as if we had not come to you, and we have actually come to you with the gospel of Christ.
15 We do not boast excessively about the works of others, but we hope that, as your faith grows, we ourselves will increase more and more among you, following the limits assigned to us,
16 so as to preach the Gospel in the countries which are beyond your own, without entering into the sharing of others, to boast of works done by others.
17 However, let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.»
18 For it is not he who commends himself who is a man approved, but he whom the Lord commends.
Chapter 11
1 Oh! If you could bear a little madness from me! But yes, you do bear me.
2 I have conceived for you a godly jealousy; for I have betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
3 But I am afraid that, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, so your thoughts may be corrupted and lose their simplicity regarding Christ.
4 For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the one we preached to you, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.
5 Indeed, I consider myself in no way inferior to these apostles par excellence!
6 Though I am a stranger to the art of speech, I am not a stranger to knowledge; in every respect and in every way, we have shown this to you.
7 Or did I commit a fault, because I humbled myself to exalt you, and proclaimed to you the gospel of God free of charge?
8 I robbed other churches, receiving a wage from them, in order to serve you.
9 When I was among you in need, I was not a burden to anyone; brothers from Macedonia supplied what I lacked. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and I will continue to keep so.
10 As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, I protest that this glory will not be taken from me in the regions of Achaia.
11 Why? Because I don't love you? Ah! God knows!
12 But what I am doing, I will do again, to take away this pretext from those who are looking for one, so that they may be recognized as being like us in the conduct of which they boast.
13 For such people are false apostles, crafty workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
14 And do not be amazed at this, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
15 It is therefore not surprising that his ministers also disguise themselves as ministers of justice. Their end will be according to their deeds.
16 I repeat, let no one consider me a fool; if so, accept me as such, so that I too may boast a little.
17 What I am about to say, with this confidence of having cause to boast, I am not saying as the Lord would, but as though I were in a state of madness.
18 Since so many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast.
19 And you who are sensible gladly put up with fools.
20 You endure being enslaved, being devoured, being plundered, being treated arrogantly, being struck in the face.
21 I say it to my shame, we have been very weak!
However, of whatever one dares to boast—I speak as a fool, I too dare to boast.
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.
23 Are they ministers of Christ? — Ah! I will speak like a man out of his mind: — I am more so than they: much more than they in labors, much more in blows, infinitely more in imprisonments; often I have seen death up close;
24 five times I received from the Jews forty lashes minus one;
25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; I spent a day and a night in the abyss.
26 And my countless journeys, the perils on the rivers, the perils from the robbers, the perils from my own people, the perils from the Gentiles, the perils in the cities, the perils in the deserts, the perils at sea, the perils from false brothers,
27 the labors and toils, the many vigils, hunger, thirst, repeated fasting, cold, nakedness!
28 And without mentioning so many other things, shall I recall my daily anxieties, the concern of all the churches?
29 Who is weak that I am not also weak? Who falls and is not consumed by fire?
30 If I must boast, I will boast of my weakness.
31 God, who is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.
32 In Damascus, the ethnarch of King Aretas had the city guarded in order to seize me;
33 But they lowered me through a window, in a basket, down the wall, and I escaped Thus with his own hands.
Chapter 12
1 Should we boast? That is not useful; I will nevertheless come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body I do not know; whether it was out of the body I do not know: God knows.
3 And I know that this man (whether in his body or out of his body I do not know, God knows)
4 was caught up into paradise, and heard ineffable words which it is not permitted for a man to reveal.
5 It is for this man that I will boast; but as for myself, I will boast only of my weaknesses.
6 Certainly, if I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from doing so so that no one may think of me more highly than what they see in me or hear from me.
7 And lest the surpassing greatness of these revelations should make me conceited, a thorn was given me in my flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, [so that I should not become conceited].
8 Concerning him, I prayed to the Lord three times to take him away from me,
9 And he said to me, »My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.» Therefore I gladly boast about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may dwell in me.
10 That is why I delight in weaknesses, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
11 I have just acted foolishly; you compelled me to do so. It was incumbent upon you to commend me, for I have not been inferior in the least to those who are the Apostles, though I am nothing.
12 The signs of my apostleship were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs, wonders, and miracles.
13 What do you have to envy in the other churches, except that I have not been a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong.
14 Now I am ready to come to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you; for I am not seeking your possessions, but you yourselves. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
15 For my part, I will gladly spend and spend myself entirely for your souls, even if, by loving you more, I am loved less by you.
16 So be it! I haven't been a burden to you; but, being a cunning man, I used trickery to deceive you.
17 Have I, then, obtained any benefit from you through any of those whom I sent to you?
18 I hired Tite to go to you, and with him I sent the brother you know: is it Tite You gained nothing from us? Didn't we walk in the same spirit, follow the same paths?
19 You still believe that we are justifying ourselves to you. It is before God, in Christ, that we speak, and all this, beloved, we say for your edification.
20 My fear is that when I arrive I will not find you as I would like, and that consequently you will not find me as you would like. I'm afraid to find among you quarrels, rivalries, animosity, disputes, slander, false reports, conceit, disturbances.
21 I'm afraid that, when I return to you, my God will not humble me again before you, and that I will not have to weep over many sinners who have not repented of the impurity, fornication, and debauchery to which they have given themselves.
Chapter 13
1 This is now the third time I've come to your house. Every case will be decided on the testimony of two or three witnesses.»
2 I have already said this, and I repeat it now: now that I am absent, as when I was present the second time, I declare to those who have already sinned and to all others that if I come again to you, I will show no leniency,
3 since you are seeking proof that Christ speaks through me, who is not weak toward you, but remains powerful among you.
4 For though he was crucified because of his weakness, he lives by the power of God; and we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God, to punish among you.
5 Examine yourselves, see If you are in the faith, test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless perhaps you are not Christians proven.
6 But I hope you will recognize that we are being tested.
7 However, we pray to God that you will do nothing wrong, not so that we ourselves may appear to be tempted, but so that you may do what is right, even if we should appear to be untempered.
8 For we have no power against the truth; we have power only for the truth.
9 It is a blessing for us when we are weak and you are strong; indeed, this is our prayer: that you may be brought to perfection.
10 That is why I am writing these things to you while I am away from you, so that when I come to you I may not have to be harsh with you, according to the authority the Lord has given me to build up and not to tear down.
11 Moreover, my brothers, be in joy, make perfect, console one another, have the same feeling, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.
12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints They greet you.
13 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all!
