[12:10] Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong. [12:11] I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing. [12:12] Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty works. [12:13] For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong.
[12:14] Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children. [12:15] I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less? [12:16] But be it so, I did not myself burden you. But, being crafty, I caught you with deception. [12:17] Did I take advantage of you by anyone of them whom I have sent to you? [12:18] I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Didn't we walk in the same spirit? Didn't we walk in the same steps? [12:19] Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying. [12:20] For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don't desire; that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, riots; [12:21] that again when I come my God would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness and sexual immorality and lustfulness which they committed.
[13:1] This is the third time I am coming to you. "At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established."[*] [13:2] I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, I write to those who have sinned before now, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare; [13:3] seeing that you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me; who toward you is not weak, but is powerful in you. [13:4] For he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we will live with him through the power of God toward you. [13:5] Test your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don't you know as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified. [13:6] But I hope that you will know that we aren't disqualified.
[13:7] Now I pray to God that you do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that you may do that which is honorable, though we are as reprobate. [13:8] For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. [13:9] For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. And this we also pray for, even your perfecting. [13:10] For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not deal sharply when present, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for tearing down.
[13:11] Finally, brothers, rejoice. Be perfected, be comforted, be of the same mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. [13:12] Greet one another with a holy kiss. [13:13] All the saints greet you. [13:14] The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.
Notes:
[1] [back to 1:8] The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."
[2] [back to 4:6] Genesis 1:3
[3] [back to 4:13] Psalm 116:10