最后的警告

13 这是我第三次要去你们那里。圣经上说:“任何控告必须有两三个证人作证才能成立。” 我第二次去探望你们的时候已经警告过了,如今我虽然不在你们那里,但仍要再次警告那些犯罪的人以及其余的人:我再来的时候,必不宽容。 既然你们要我证明是基督借着我说话,那么你们当知道,基督处理你们这类的事绝不软弱,祂在你们当中充满力量。 不错,祂的软弱之躯曾被钉在十字架上,但如今祂靠上帝的大能活着。我们也跟祂一样软弱,但为了你们,我们要靠上帝的大能和祂一同活着。

你们要自我省察,看看自己是否真正信主,也要察验自己。除非你们经不起察验,否则,你们应该知道耶稣基督住在你们里面。 我希望你们会知道,我们是经得起考验的。 我们祈求上帝使你们一件恶事都不做,不是为了要显明我们经得起考验,而是要你们行事端正,就算我们经不起考验也无妨。 因为我们不能抵挡真理,只能拥护真理。 只要你们刚强,我们就是软弱也欢喜。我们为你们祈祷,盼望你们做纯全的人。 10 我写这封信是预先警告你们,免得我到你们当中的时候,必须运用基督给我的权柄严厉地对待你们。基督赐给我这权柄是为了造就人,不是毁坏人。

劝勉与祝福

11 最后,弟兄姊妹,我还有几句话要说:你们要喜乐,追求完善,接受劝勉,同心合意,和睦共处。这样,仁爱和平的上帝必常与你们同在。

12 你们要以圣洁的吻彼此问候。 13 全体圣徒都问候你们。

14 愿主耶稣基督的恩典、上帝的慈爱、圣灵的感动,常与你们众人同在!

Examine Yourselves

13 (A)This is the third time I am coming to you. (B)By the mouth of two or three witnesses every [a]matter shall be confirmed. I have previously said when present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have (C)sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that (D)if I come again I will not (E)spare anyone, since you are (F)seeking proof that (G)Christ speaks in me; He is not weak toward you, but (H)mighty in you. For indeed He was (I)crucified because of weakness, yet He lives (J)because of the power of God. For we also are (K)weak [b]in Him, yet (L)we will live with Him because of the power of God toward you.

(M)Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; (N)examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize about yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you [c](O)fail the test? But I hope that you will realize that we ourselves [d]do not fail the test. 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 [e]appear unapproved. For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth. For we rejoice when we ourselves are (P)weak but you are strong. This we also pray for, [f]that you be (Q)restored. 10 For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present (R)I need not use (S)severity, in accordance with the (T)authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

11 (U)Finally, brothers, [g]rejoice, [h](V)be restored, be comforted, (W)be like-minded, (X)live in peace, and (Y)the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 (Z)Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 (AA)All the [i]saints greet you.

14 (AB)The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the (AC)love of God, and the (AD)fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 13:1 Lit word
  2. 2 Corinthians 13:4 One early ms with Him
  3. 2 Corinthians 13:5 Lit are unapproved
  4. 2 Corinthians 13:6 Lit are not unapproved
  5. 2 Corinthians 13:7 Lit be as
  6. 2 Corinthians 13:9 Lit your completion
  7. 2 Corinthians 13:11 Or farewell
  8. 2 Corinthians 13:11 Or put yourselves in order
  9. 2 Corinthians 13:13 Or holy ones