Final Warnings
1This will be my third visit to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”13:1 Deut. 19:15 2I 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, 3since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4For 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.
5Examine 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? 6And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. 7Now 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. 8For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored. 10This 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
11Finally, 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.
12Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13All God’s people here send their greetings.
14May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
最后的警告
1这是我第三次要去你们那里。圣经上说：“任何事必须有两三个证人作证才能定案。”13:1 申命记19:15。 2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从前犯了罪的人和其余的人：我再来的时候，必不宽容。 3你们既然要我证明是基督借着我说话，就当知道，基督处理你们这类的事绝不软弱，祂在你们当中充满能力。 4不错，祂曾在软弱中被钉在十字架上，但如今靠上帝的大能活着。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。
5你们要自我省察，看看自己是否真正信主，也要考验自己。除非你们经不起考验，否则，你们应该知道耶稣基督住在你们里面。 6我希望你们会知道，我们是经得起考验的。 7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。 8因为我们不能抵挡真理，只能拥护真理。 9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，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！
