5. Look closely at yourselves. Test yourselves to see if you are living in the faith. You know that Christ Jesus is in you—unless you fail the test.
6. But I hope you will see that we ourselves have not failed the test.
7. We pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. It is not important to see that we have passed the test. But it is important that you do what is right, even if it seems that we have failed.
8. We cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
9. We are happy to be weak, if you are strong. And we pray that you will grow stronger and stronger.
10. I am writing this while I am away from you. I am writing so that when I come I will not have to be harsh in my use of authority. The Lord gave me this authority to use to make you stronger, not to destroy you.
11. Now, brothers, I say good-bye. Live in harmony. Do what I have asked you to do. Agree with each other, and live in peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.
12. Give each other a holy kiss when you greet each other.
13. All of God’s holy people send greetings to you.