2 Corinthians 13
The full text of 2 Corinthians 13 in the Trinity Bible Version — clear modern English, translated from the original Greek. Free to read.
1 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 he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him in our dealing with 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 have not failed the test.
7 Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong, not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so 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 that you may be fully restored.
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.
11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, 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. All God's people here send their greetings.
13 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Translation notes (4)
- 2 Corinthians 13:1a Paul quotes Deuteronomy 19:15, the Mosaic rule requiring multiple witnesses for judicial proceedings, in wording that follows the Septuagint. The Greek pan rhēma, 'every matter', can also mean 'every word'. Paul appears to treat his three visits as the requisite witnesses, framing his impending arrival in the language of a formal legal proceeding against the unrepentant in Corinth.
- 2 Corinthians 13:4a Greek states the paradox with the same preposition ek, 'out of': Christ was crucified ex astheneias, 'out of weakness', and lives ek dynameos theou, 'out of God's power'. The final phrase eis hymas, literally 'toward you', is rendered here as 'in our dealing with you', tying Paul's coming exercise of apostolic authority to the pattern of the crucified and risen Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 13:5a Greek dokimazete, 'test', denotes testing for genuineness, as in the assaying of metals. Paul pairs it with its negated form adokimoi, 'failing the test' or 'disqualified', creating a wordplay that continues into the next verse, where he hopes the Corinthians will find the apostles not adokimoi. The distinct verb peirazete, 'examine', opens the verse.
- 2 Corinthians 13:14a Some editions number this as verse 13, combining verses 12–13. The Trinity Bible Version follows the versification that separates the benediction.
About this translation
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