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Examine Yourselves

^1 (C1)This is the third time that I am coming to you. ^(C2)ON THE ^(F1)TESTIMONY OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY MATTER SHALL BE CONFIRMED.² I have previously said when I was present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have ^(C1)sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that ^(C2)if I come again I will not ^(C3)spare anyone,³ since you are ^(C1)seeking proof of the ^(C2)Christ who speaks in me, who is not weak toward you, but ^(C3)mighty in you.⁴ For indeed He was ^(C1)crucified because of weakness, yet He lives ^(C2)because of the power of God. For we too are ^(C3)weak ^(F1)in Him, yet ^(C4)we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.

^5 (C1)Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; ^(C2)examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you ^(F1)(C3)fail the test?⁶ But I expect that you will realize that we ourselves ^(F1)do not fail the test.⁷ Now we pray to God that you do nothing wrong; not so that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, though we may ^(F1)appear unapproved.⁸ For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.⁹ For we rejoice when we ourselves are ^(C1)weak, but you are strong; this we also pray for, ^(F1)that you ^(C2)become mature.¹⁰ For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present ^(C1)I need not use ^(C2)severity, in accordance with the ^(C3)authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

^11 (C1)Finally, brothers and sisters, ^(F1)rejoice, ^(C2)mend your ways, be comforted, ^(C3)be like-minded, ^(C4)live in peace; and ^(C5)the God of love and peace will be with you.^12 (C1)Greet one another with a holy kiss.^13 (C1)All the ^(F1)saints greet you.

^14 (C1)The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the ^(C2)love of God, and the ^(C3)fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.