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2 Corinthians 13

World English Bible · Public-domain text

2 Corinthians 13

Letters associated with Paul

A letter about ministry, weakness, reconciliation, generosity and contested authority. Notice changes in tone and the circumstances invoked before applying a sentence beyond its argument.

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World English Bible · Verse numbers are navigation aids. Read the paragraph and chapter around a result.

1This is the third time I am coming to you. “At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”

2I 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;

3seeing that you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me; who toward you is not weak, but is powerful in you.

4For 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.

5Examine your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don’t you know about your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

6But I hope that you will know that we aren’t disqualified.

7Now 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.

8For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

9For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray for this: your becoming perfect.

10For 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.

11Finally, 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.

12Greet one another with a holy kiss.

13All the saints greet you.

14The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s love, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

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Respectful inquiry and nonviolence guide our reading. Text and editorial notes are different. Scripture is the public-domain World English Bible, supplied through a dated digital-text snapshot. Topic selections and comparison notes are original editorial aids, not part of the translation or an exhaustive concordance.

Source snapshot expanded October 20, 2026. All 27 New Testament books and 19 selected Old Testament chapters are included. Verse wording is preserved; paragraph formatting and translator footnotes are not reproduced. Read the publisher’s text and notes · Text provenance. New notes dated October 19, 2026.

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