Final
Warnings
This
will be my third visit to you.
'Every
matter must be established
by
the Testimony of Two or Three witnesses.'
2 I
already gave you a Warning
When
I was with you the Second time.
I
now repeat it while absent:
On
my return I will not spare those who Sinned earlier
Or
any of the others,
3
Since you are demanding Proof
That
Christ is speaking through me.
HE
IS NOT WEAK IN DEALING WITH YOU,
BUT
IS POWERFUL AMONG YOU.
4
FOR TO BE SURE, HE WAS CRUCIFIED IN WEAKNESS,
YET
LIVES BY GOD'S POWER.
LIKEWISE,
WE ARE WEAK IN HIM,
YET
BY GOD'S POWER
WE
WILL LIVE WITH HIM TO SERVE YOU.
5
EXAMINE YOURSELVES TO SEE WHETHER YOU ARE IN THE FAITH;
TEST
YOURSELVES.
DO
YOU NOT REALIZE THAT CHRIST JESUS IS IN YOU--
UNLESS,
OF COURSE, YOU FAIL THE TEST?
6
And I trust that you will discover
That
we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong.
Not
that people will see that we have stood the Test
But
that you will do what is Right
Even
though we may seem to have Failed.
8
FOR WE CANNOT DO ANYTHING AGAINST THE TRUTH,
BUT
ONLY FOR THE TRUTH.
9
WE ARE GLAD WHENEVER WE ARE WEAK
BUT
YOU ARE STRONG;
AND
OUR PRAYER IS FOR YOUR PERFECTION.
10
This is why I write these things when I am absent,
That
when I come I may not have to be harsh
In
my use of Authority--
the
Authority the Lord gave me for building you up,
Not
for tearing you down.
Final
Greetings
11
Finally, brothers, good-by.
AIM
FOR PERFECTION,
LISTEN
TO MY APPEAL,
BE
OF ONE MIND,
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 send their greetings.
14
MAY THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST,
AND
THE LOVE OF GOD,
AND
THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
BE
WITH YOU ALL.
(2
Corinthians 13)
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