¹ This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

² I said before, and now say beforehand, as when present the second time, so also absent now, to those who have sinned before, and to all the others, that if I come again, I will not spare;

³ since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who towards you is not weak, but is mighty among you.

⁴ For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God; for we also are weak in him, but we shall live together with him by the power of God toward you.

⁵ Try yourselves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, that Christ Jesus is in you, unless ye are unapproved?

⁶ But I trust that ye shall know, that we are not unapproved.

⁷ Now we pray to God that ye do no evil; not in order that we may appear approved, but that ye may do what is good, though we be as unapproved.

⁸ For we have no power against the truth, but for the truth.

⁹ For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong; this also we pray for, even your perfection.

¹⁰ For this cause I write these things while absent, that when present I may not use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord gave me for edification, and not for destruction.

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.

¹² Salute one another with a holy kiss.

¹³ All the saints salute you.

¹⁴ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the partaking of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.