Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians

Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians




The God of Every Comfort

1 [1-11] From Paul, a follower of Yeshua the Christ, by the will of God, and Timothy our coworker in Christ, to the church of God, which is at Corinth, and all the Christians, which are in all Achaia: May you have the grace and peace from Yahweh our God, and from Yeshua the Christ. May Yahweh God be blessed, the God our Christ Yeshua comes from, the God all mercies come from, and the God all comforts come from; Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we may be able to comfort those, who are in any kind of trouble, with the same kind of comfort that we ourselves have been comforted with by God. As we have suffered much for Christ, so we’ll be comforted much by Christ. And if we’re troubled, it’s for your comfort and to help you to be saved, which is what helps us to keep going in what we suffer: or if we’re in good spirits now, it’s for your comfort and to help you to be saved. And our hope for you is strong, knowing that just as you’ve taken part in the suffering, so you’ll be comforted. Christians, we want you to know of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were troubled more than ever, more than our own strength, so that we even lost all hope of life. We had a death sentence in us, so that we wouldn’t trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead: Who saved us from such a great a death, and so saves us: in whom we trust that even now, will still save us. You’ve also helped by praying for us, that many more people will give thanks in our place, for the gift given to us by the answered prayers of many of you.



We Have a Clear Conscience

[12-24] Our joy is that our conscience tells us by God’s grace that we’ve lived in the world with simple and godly honesty, not with earthly wisdom, and even more so with you. We write to you no other faith than what you’ve read or already know; and I trust you’ll know this even to the end of your days; As in a way, you’ve also accepted that we’re your joy, just as you’ll also be our joy in the day of Christ Yeshua. And in this trust, I was thinking of coming to you, so that you might have a second chance to do a good thing; And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come back out of Macedonia to you, and to be sent on my way again by you to Judea. Do you think I thought of this without thinking it through? Or do the things that I plan, come from my own human thinking, that I would say both yes and no at the same time? But as God is true, our word to you wasn’t unreliable, saying both yes and no at the same time. The Child of God, Yeshua the Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me, Silvanus, and Timothy, wasn’t yes and no, but in Christ, was always yes. And all the promises of God are “Yes” in Christ, and in Christ, we say “So be it” to the praise of God. Now the One who creates all of us in Christ, and has chosen us is God; Who has also put the proof of ownership on us, and given us this proof by the Spirit in our hearts. Besides this, I call on God for a defense of my soul that the reason I didn’t come to you was to spare you. Not that we have any control over your faith, but that we could help you to have joy, because it’s by faith that you keep on going.



Overcome with Love, not Sorrow

2 [1-7] But I decided on this in myself, that I wouldn’t come back to you in sorrow. If I make you sorry, who can make me happy, but the ones who are made sorry by me? And I wrote this to you, in case, when I came, I would have sorrow from the very ones I should have joy in; having trust in you all, that my joy is the same joy that you all have. In much suffering and heartbreak, I wrote to you in tears; not that you would be upset, but that you might know the great love that I have for you. But if anyone has caused sorrow, in a way, they haven’t caused me sorrow, as much as they’ve caused you sorrow: not to put it too unkindly. And they have had enough punishment from you all. So instead, you should forgive and comfort them, or they may be overcome with too much sorrow.

[8-17] So I beg you to prove your love to them. It was for this reason that I wrote, that I might know for sure if you do what you should. And whoever you forgive, I forgive also, and if I forgave anything, I forgave it for your sakes in Christ; Just in case Satan would get a hold on us, for we know of the ways of evil. And when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s New Word, and a door was opened to me by God, my spirit would not rest, because I didn’t find Titus, my coworker in Christ: so I left there, and went on to Macedonia. Now thanks to God, who always helps us to have victory in Christ, and spreads the scent of the knowledge of the Savior by us everywhere. We’re like a sweet scent of Christ to God, in those who are saved, and in those who are destroyed: To one we’re the scent of death that leads to death; and to the other the scent of life that leads to life. And who is enough for this? We aren’t like many, who sell the Word of God for money, but we’re sent from God in truth, and in the sight of God we speak in Christ.



We Are Ministers Not of the Letter of the Law, but of the Spirit of the Law

3 [1-11] So should we start to say good things about ourselves again to you? Or do we need, as some others do, letters of approval to you, or letters of approval from you? Our letter is you, written in our hearts, known and read by everyone. So you’re clearly told to be like a letter from Christ written by us, but not written with ink on pieces of paper, but with the Spirit of the living God, written in the pages of the human heart. And we have this trust through Christ in God: Not that we’re enough in and of ourselves to think anything much of ourselves; but we’re enough in God; Who has also made us able to be ministers of the New Word; not of the letter of the Law, but of the spirit of the Law, because the letter kills without mercy, but the spirit of grace gives life. But if the way of death, which was written and carved in stones, was so amazing that the children of Israel couldn’t hardly look at the face of Moses for its brightness; which was already beginning to fade away: Won’t the way of the spirit be even more amazing? And if the way of judgment is so amazing, how much more amazing will the goodness of grace be. And even what was amazing then isn’t amazing at all compared to the amazement of the goodness of the grace we have now. And if what passed away was amazing, how much more amazing is that grace that we have forever.

[12-18] Seeing then that we have such hope, we speak as plainly as we can: And not as Moses, who put a covering over his face, so that the children of Israel couldn’t hardly see him until the brightness had faded away: But their minds were blinded because even to today, the same covering is still there when the Old Word is read; which is only taken away in Christ. Even to today, when Moses is read, the covering stays on their hearts. But in the same way, when someone turns to Christ, the covering is taken away. Now Christ is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of Christ is, there’s freedom. But we all, with uncovered faces, as if looking in a mirror, see the light of Christ in us, as we’re changed into the likeness of Christ with more and more goodness, as we’re given by the Spirit of Christ.



We Don’t Give Up

4 [1-12] So seeing that we’ve been given this ministry by the mercy of Christ, we don’t give up; But we’ve given up the secret ways of dishonesty, not being tricky, nor handling the Word of God falsely; but by clearly stating the truth entrusting ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our New Word is covered, only those who are lost can’t see it: The god of this world has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe, unless the light of the amazing New Word of Christ, who is the picture of God, shines on them. And we don’t preach about ourselves, but Yeshua the Christ as being God; and ourselves your workers for Yeshua’s sake. And God, who told the light to shine out of the darkness, has shined in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the victory of God in the face of Yeshua the Christ. But this wealth of knowledge is kept in human beings, so that others can know that this great power is of God, and not us. And though we’re troubled from all sides, still we’re not greatly upset; We’re confused, but not hopeless; Mistreated, but not left alone; pushed down, but not broken; We’re always suffering the death of Christ Yeshua in our human bodies, so that the life of Christ might also be known in our human bodies. And we who live are always giving ourselves up for dead for Yeshua’ sake, so that the life of Yeshua also might be known in our human bodies. So then death is working in us, so that life can work in you.

[13-18] And having the same spirit of faith, just like the Word says, “I believed, and so I speak;” we also believe, and we speak; Knowing that Yahweh God, who brought back Christ Yeshua, will also raise us up by Yeshua, and will offer us, along with you. And everything is for your sakes, that the amazing grace, having come to many people, would let their thankfulness overflow in the praise of God. And so we don’t give up; but though our outward lives are destroyed, still the inward life is renewed each and every day. And our suffering, which lasts only a little while, gives us a victory that far outlasts anything we go through now; So we don’t look at the things which we see, but at the things which we don’t see, because the things which are seen are only temporary; but the things which aren’t seen will last forever.



The Judgment Seat of Christ

5 [1-10] And we know that if our earthly body that we live in were to be destroyed, we have a heavenly body in God, which isn’t like our human bodies, but will last forever in heaven. But in this body we cry, actively hoping to be clothed with our heavenly body: So if it’s true that we’re clothed, we won’t be without it. And though we that are in this body cry, being greatly troubled: not that we want to be unclothed, but clothed with our heavenly body, so that our human body might be completely covered with life. Now the One who has created us for this same reason is God, who has also given to us the Spirit as proof. So we’re always sure, knowing that, while we’re in our bodies, we’re separated from God, but because we walk by faith, and not by sight, we’re sure, I say, instead to even be willing to leave this body to be with God. So we work, that, whether here or there, we can be accepted by God, because we all have to appear at the judgment seat of Christ; so that everyone can get back what they’re owed for the things they did in their body, whether it was good or bad.

[11-16] So knowing the fear of God, we try to change the minds of others; and though it’s clear to God who we are; I trust also that in your consciences we are made clear. And we don’t approve of ourselves again to you, but we want to give you a chance to be proud of us, that you can have something to answer those who take pride in appearances, but not in the heart. And if we’re crazy, it’s for God’s sake: or if we use good sense, it’s for your sake, because the love of Christ makes us believe that if One died for all, then all are dead: And that One died for all, so that those who live wouldn’t ever live for themselves again, but for the One who died for them, and rose again. So now, we see no one as they are in the body: and yes, though we’ve known Christ in the body, still now we don’t know the Christ that way any more.

[17-21] So then, if anyone is in Christ, they’re a new creature, putting their old ways in the past until everything becomes new to them. And we are brought back to God, who has done all this by Yeshua the Christ, and has given to us the ministry of bringing others back to God; That is, that Yahweh God was in Christ Yeshua, bringing the world back to a relationship with God, not counting their sins against them; and has trusted to us the Word, which brings others back to God. Now then, we’re spokespersons for Christ, and as though God was begging you through us: we beg you in Christ’s stead, to come back to God, who has made Christ to be sin for us, who knew no sin; so that we might become the goodness of God through Christ.



Being Patient Survivors

6 [1-10] We then, as workers together with Christ, beg you also not to accept God’s grace without purpose. God says, “I’ve heard you at just the right time, and in the day you were saved I have helped you;” so now is the right time; now is the day to be saved. We try not to offend anyone in anything, so that the ministry won’t be blamed: But in everything we approve of ourselves as the ministers of God, being patient survivors in our troubles, in our needs, in our suffering, in our beatings, in our imprisonments, in our chaos, in our work, in our willingness to go without sleep and food; By our purity of heart, by our knowledge, by our patience, by our kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by our heartfelt love, by the Word of Truth, by the power of God, by the protective covering of goodness which surrounds us, in honor and dishonor, in bad news and good news: as misleaders, and yet true; as unknown, yet still well known; as dying, yet still living; as punished, yet not killed; As sorrowful, yet always with joy; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet still possessing everything.



Have Hearts filled with Love and Separate from the Ungodly

[11-18] You Corinthians, we speak clearly to you, and our hearts are filled with love for you. You aren’t kept from loving by us, but you’re kept from loving in your own souls. Now return our love to us, (I speak as to my children,) be heart-filled also. And don’t come together with unbelievers, to be married unmatched, because what can goodness have to do with ungodliness? And how can light blend with darkness? And what agreement has Christ made with Satan? Or what does one who believes have to do with an unbeliever? And how can God’s place of worship be filled with the worship of other things? And it’s your own innermost soul, which is the place of worship of the living God; as God has said, “I’ll live in them, and be active in them; and I’ll be their God, and they’ll be my people. So come out from among the ungodly people, and separate yourselves from them, says Yahweh God, and don’t touch anything that’s evil; and I’ll accept you, and I’ll be like a parent to you, and care for you as my sons and daughters, says the Almighty Yahweh God.”



Cleanse Ourselves Before God with Godly Sorrow

7 [1-8] So having these promises, dear loved ones, let’s cleanse ourselves from everything filthy, in both the body and the spirit, making ourselves completely clean in the fear of God. Accept us, because we’ve wronged no one, we’ve ruined no one; we’ve taken advantage of no one. I don’t speak this to accuse you, because I’ve already said to you, that our hearts are filled with love for you, whether we die or live for you. I speak to you without fear, and my hopeful pride in you is great: My heart is filled with comfort; I’m very joyful even in all our troubles. And when we had come into Macedonia, we had no rest, and we were troubled everywhere; outside were fightings, and inside were fears. But in the same way, God, who comforts those that are put down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; And not by that only, but by the comfort that he was comforted in you, when he told us of your great hope, your sorrowful crying, your great concern for me; so that I was even more joyful. And though I hurt you with my letter, I’m not sorry for writing it, though I am sorry, realizing that the letter hurt you, though it was only for a little while.

[9-16] Now I am full of joy, not that you were sorrowful, but that you were sorry enough to change your life because you were sorrowful in a godly way, so that you weren’t really hurt by us in any way. And you can’t be sorry for the godly sorrow that changed your life and helped you to be saved, because the kind of sorrow brought by the world only brings a hopeless death. See for yourselves what I’m saying; how that you sorrowed in a godly way, in order to make you truly care; Yes, look how you tried to clear yourselves; Yes, look at the anger you had; Yes, look at the fear you had; Yes, look at your longing to see me; Yes, look at the passion you had; And yes, what justice you wanted! In all this you’ve cleared yourselves of wrongdoing in this matter. So even though I wrote to you, I didn’t do it for the one who had done the wrong, nor for the ones who had suffered wrongs, but so that our care for you in the sight of God might be seen by you. So we were comforted in your comfort: and yes, had even more joy for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was awakened by you all. So if I’ve said anything prideful to him about you, I’m not ashamed; but as we spoke everything to you in truth, in the same way our prideful bragging, which I made to Titus, is the truth. And he has more love for you, because he knows how you all accepted him, how with fear and trembling you truly accepted him. And now I celebrate because I can trust you in everything.



On Giving Graciously

8 [1-9] Besides this, Christians, we want you to know of the grace God has given to the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great test of suffering, most of their joy and their deep poverty was found in the riches of their freedom in giving. They gave what they were able to, I say, and yes, even more than they were really able to, giving of their own free will; Asking and begging us to take the gift, and let them share in the blessing of helping the Christians. And they did this, not as we had hoped, but first gave their own selves to God, and then to us by the will of God. So much so, that we wanted Titus, just as he had begun, to pass on the same acts of grace to you also. So, as you grew fruitful in everything else, in faith, in words, in knowledge, and in all your concern and love for us, see that you grow fruitful in your acts of grace in giving as well. This isn’t a command, but I speak on account of the gracefulness of others, and to prove the honesty of your love. And you know the grace of our Christ Yeshua, who was rich, and still for your sakes became poor, that you might become rich through Christ’s own poverty.

[10-15] And in this I give my advice because this is necessary for you, who have begun to not only want to do, but also to do it over a year ago. So now act on your wanting to do it; so as there was a willingness, your actions can follow also out of what you have to give. If there is a willing mind first, then whatever you’ve to give is acceptable, and it doesn’t matter what You haven’t got to give. I don’t mean that other people shouldn’t give at all, and you to be overly troubled by giving: But give on an equal basis, so that now in the time of your plenty you can give whatever they need, and that when they are able they can also give you what you need: so that there is a balance: As the Word says, “Whoever took in richly had nothing over; and whoever took in little didn’t go without anything they needed.”

[16-24] And I thank God, who put the same true care that I have for you into the heart of Titus. And to be sure, he not only accepted this responsibility; but being so excited about it, went to you of his own accord. And another Christian coworker, whose is praised in the work of the New Word throughout all the churches is coming along; And not that only, but this is the one who was chosen by the churches to travel along with us for this responsibility, which is overseen by us to the praise of Christ, and to prove your willingness to give: We want to stop anyone from blaming us falsely in this responsibility which we oversee: Trying to do what is honest, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of humanity. And we’ve also sent with them our Christian coworker, whom we’ve proved to be careful in many things many times, but now how much more careful in this great trust, which I have in you. If anyone asks about Titus, he’s my coworker and helper to you: or if anyone asks about these Christian coworkers, they’re the angels of the churches, and the praise of Christ. So show them, and the churches the proof of your love and of our bragging about you.



The Gift Better than Words

9 [1-7] So as touching the ministering to the Christians, it’s really not needed for me to write to you, because I know you’re willing to do this, which is why I brag of you to those of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your passion has stirred up a very many more into action. Yet I have sent these Christian coworkers, in case our bragging of you in this way is for nothing; and that, as I said, you can be ready in case it so happens that those of Macedonia decide to come with me and find you unprepared, and that both we and you would be ashamed that we bragged about you so surely. So I thought it necessary to encourage these Christian coworkers to go ahead to you, and take up your willing gift, in which you had already known about, so that it might be ready, as a free-will offering, and not be given unwillingly. But I say this, those who give sparingly will also bring in sparingly; and those who give graciously will also bring in graciously. So let everyone give as they plan in their heart; not complaining about it, or because they feel they have to, because God loves those who give joyfully.

[8-15] And God is able to make all things be gracious to you; so that you will always have everything you need, and can share graciously in every good work: (As the Word says, “The goodness of those who scatter out and give to those who are poor lasts forever.” Now the One who gives seed to the farmer gives both bread for your food, and multiplies your seed that is sown, and increases the fruits of your goodness; Being enriched in everything so you can give more graciously, which causes us to give thanks to God. And the overseeing of this service not only supplies the needs of the Christians, but also causes many people to give thanks to God; And by the test of this help, they praise God for your full acceptance of the New Word of Christ, and for your heartfelt gift to them, and to everyone else; And by their prayer for you, whose hearts are filled with love for you, for that very grace of God that’s in you. I Thank God for the gift that’s much better than any words could say.



Spiritual Warfare

10 [1-6] Now I, Paul, beg you myself by the humbleness and gentleness of Christ, who am humble when I am with you, but not being there face to face, I have no fear of you: But I beg you, so that I won’t have to be so fearless when I come, with that sureness that I expect to have against some, who think of us as if we lived for the things of the earthly realm. And even though we live in the earthly realm, we don’t fight with earthly swords. The swords of our warfare aren’t earthly, but have the power in God even to pull down spiritual strong holds; targeting thoughts, and any imagination that raises its head against what we know about God, and keeping every thought in agreement with Christ; And being ready to fight back all rebelliousness, when you’ve come into full agreement with Christ.



Defense of Our Ability and Area of Work

[7-11] Do you look at things as they appear outwardly? If anyone trusts in themselves that they belong to Christ, they should seriously think again, that even as they belong to Christ, so do we also belong to Christ. And though I speak somewhat more freely of our ability, which God has given us for building you up, and not for tearing you down, I won’t be ashamed, even if I seem to scare you by my letters. And though my letters are said to be very serious and powerful; and my bodily presence is said to be weak, and my speech is disgraceful, let them seriously think about this, that is, just as we are in the words of our letters when we’re not there, we’ll be just as powerful in action when we are there.

[12-18] But we dare not compare ourselves to, or make ourselves as one of those, who think themselves to be something: but really they know nothing because they measure and compare themselves by people just like themselves. But we won’t brag about things outside our limits, but within the limits of the ability, which God has given us, which includes what we do with you. We don’t stretch ourselves beyond our limits, as though we didn’t have the ability to reach you, because we have come even as far as you in preaching the New Word of Christ. We don’t brag of things outside our limits, that is, of other’s work that may have been given to us; but having the hope that when your faith grows, our area of work will grow greatly by you, and that we can preach the New Word in other areas besides where you are, and not to brag in another person’s line of work. But whoever brags, let them brag in God, because it isn’t those who approve of themselves that are approved, but those whom God approves.



Don’t be misled by Those Who Try to Make a Profit Off The Word of God

11 [1-15] I hope to God you’ll put up with me even when I do speak a little bit crazy: and you have put up with me. But I am crazy over you with a godly passion because I’ve promised you to Christ so that I can present you as a faithful spouse to Christ. But I fear, in case by some means, as the snake fooled Eve with half-truths, so your minds would wander from the pure truth that is in Christ. I’m afraid that if someone comes and preaches something different about Yeshua that we haven’t preached, or if you accept another spirit, which You haven’t accepted before, or hear another New Word, which You haven’t accepted before, you might very well believe it. But I think that I haven’t followed the least bit behind the very first followers. And though I am not very well trained in my speech, yet I am in knowledge; but we’ve been thoroughly open among you in everything. What sin have I done in humbling myself so that you might be lifted up, so I could preach to you the New Word of God freely and without pay? What support I took from other churches, I took to help you. And when I was with you, and needed anything, I was supported by none of you, because what I needed I was given by the Christians, who came from another place. I’ve kept myself from asking you for any help for anything, and so I will keep myself from ever asking you for anything. As the truth of Christ is in me, no one there will stop me from saying this. And why? Do you think it’s because I don’t love you? God knows that I do. But what I do, that I’ll keep on doing, so that I can cut off any chance for those who want a chance to make something of themselves, so that they can appear to be just as we are. And people like this are false followers, false workers, changing themselves into the appearance of followers of Christ. And no wonder, even Satan changes into an angel of light. So it’s not strange if their ministers also are changed into the ministers of goodness; who will be punished for what they do.



The Many Sufferings

[16-33] I say again, let no one think of me as crazy; but if otherwise, still accept me as a crazy person, so that I can talk about myself a little. What I speak, I don’t speak for God, but as in stupidity, in this self-confident bragging. Seeing that many brag about their earthly lives, I’ll brag also. And you gladly accept thoughtless ones, seeing that you yourselves are wise! And you even allow it, if they control you, if they use you, if they take from you, if they say they’re better than you, or even if they hit you on the face. And I speak about our own dishonor, as we had been weak in this way, too. Just the same, whatever anyone wants to brag about, though I speak stupidly, I will brag about it, also. Are they Jews? So am I. Are they from Israel? So am I. Are they the descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ? I speak as a crazy person, but I am more! I have worked harder; I have been beaten more times than I can count; I have been locked up more often; I have escaped death more often. The Jews beat me five times with thirty-nine licks. I was beaten with sticks three times; I was attacked with stones once; I was shipwrecked three times, and spent a night and a day in the sea; I have traveled often, and have been in danger of drowning, in danger of thieves, in danger of my own people, in danger of other people, in danger in the city, in danger in the countryside, in danger in the sea, in danger among false Christians; I have been tired and aching, often with no sleep, hungry and thirsty, often willingly going without food, cold and going without clothes. And besides all this, my daily concerns, which is the care of all the churches. Who is more weak than I am? Who is offended, and I am not burning with anger? So if I need to brag, I’ll brag about all my weaknesses. The God, who Yeshua, our Christ is from, which is blessed forever, knows I’m not lying. Even in Damascus, the governor under Arttas, the one who guarded the city of the Damascus, wanted to arrest me, but I was let down through a window in a basket by the wall, and escaped from them.



Visions and Revelations

12 [1-10] Doubtless, it does no good for me to brag like this, so I’ll come to visions and revelations of Christ. I knew someone in Christ more than fourteen years ago, who was taken up to the third heaven, (whether in the body, I can’t tell; or whether out of the body, I can’t tell: only God knows.) And I knew how this person, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I can’t tell, only God knows,) was taken up into the Garden of Paradise, and heard things words can’t describe, which no one is able to tell. I’ll brag about this kind of person, but I will only brag about myself in my weaknesses. And even if I wanted to brag, I wouldn’t be crazy, because I’ll tell the truth: but now I don’t brag, in case anyone would think more of me than what they see me to be, or that they hear of me. And in case I were to be more proud than I ought, because of the many revelations, I was given a thorn in my side, the angel of Satan to keep me down, in case I were to become more proud than I ought. I prayed to Christ three times because of this thing, that it might leave from me. And Christ told me, “My grace is enough for you because My strength is seen in your weakness.” So most gladly, I’ll brag about my weaknesses instead, so that the power of Christ can be seen by all. So I have joy in my weaknesses, in accusations, in times of need, in discriminations, in all kinds of troubles for Christ’s sake, because when I am weak, that is when I’m really strong.

[11-21] I am crazy for bragging like this; but you’ve made me do it because I ought to have been approved of by you. I have followed not the least bit behind the very first followers, though I’m nothing. The truth is I’ve done the signs of a follower among you with much patience, in signs, and amazing things, and powerful actions. And how is it that you were treated any lesser than the other churches, unless it’s because I myself didn’t ask you for anything? Forgive me this wrong! This is the third time I am ready to come to you; and I won’t ask you for anything because I don’t want anything that’s yours, except you, because the children shouldn’t save up for their parents, but the parents for their children. And I’ll very gladly use up all that is mine and even be used up myself to save your souls; though the more greatly I love you, the less I am loved. But anyway, I didn’t trouble you, but being the sneaky way that I am, I caught you in my sneakiness. Did I get anything from you by any of those I sent to you? I wanted Titus to go, and sent with him the other Christians. Did Titus get anything from you? Didn’t we both have the same spirit? Didn’t we both go the same way? Once again, do you think that we’re making excuses for ourselves to you? What we say, we say before God in Christ, and everything we do, dear loved one, is to help you. I fear that when I come, I won’t find you as I want to, and that I’ll be found by you as you wouldn’t want me. I’m afraid that there’ll be arguments, jealousy, anger, making fun of me, bad-mouthing, gossiping, arrogant pride, or chaos. And in case, when I come back, my God will humble me among you, and that I’ll be upset by many who have sinned, and haven’t changed from their evil ways, sexual sins, and filthiness.



Last Warning

13 [1-4] This is the third time I am coming to you, so in the presence of two or three witnesses every word will be settled. I told you before, and warned you the second time, as if I were present; and not being there now, I write to those who up to now have kept on sinning, and to all others, that when I come back, I won’t show mercy to you, since you look for proof that Christ is speaking in me, which isn’t weak to you, but is powerful in you. And even though the Christ was put to death through weakness, yet by the power of God, Christ still lives. And if we also are weak in Christ, by the power of God we’ll still live with Christ for you.

[5-10] So examine yourselves, and see whether you’re in the faith or not; prove it to your own selves. Don’t you know your own selves, how that Yeshua the Christ is in you, unless, in fact, you are unsaved? But I trust that you’ll come to know that we aren’t unsaved. Now I pray to God that you don’t do anything evil; not so that we would appear approved of, but that you would do what is right, even if we were unsaved. We can’t do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. And we’re happy, when we’re weak, and you’re strong: and we pray for godly actions to follow your faith. So I write this, while not there, in case when I am there, I am too angry with you, and use the power which God has given me to tear you down instead of building you up.

[11-14] Finally, Christians, goodbye. Let godly actions follow your faith, be in good spirits now, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. Say hello to one another with a kiss of love. All the Christians here say hello to you. May the grace of Yeshua the Christ, and God’s love, and the relationship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. So be it!