1. This is the third time I am coming to you. Every fact must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
2. I gave a warning when I was present the second time, and now I give a warning while I am absent to those who sinned before and to all the rest: If I come again, I will not be lenient,
3. since you seek proof of Christ speaking in me. He is not weak toward you, but powerful among you.
4. In fact, He was crucified in weakness, but He lives by God’s power. For we also are weak in Him, yet toward you we will live with Him by God’s power.
5. Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless you fail the test.
6. And I hope you will recognize that we do not fail the test.
7. Now we pray to God that you do nothing wrong — not that we may appear to pass the test, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear to fail.
8. For we are not able to do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.