Paul warns that he will deal firmly with unrepentant sin when he visits. He tells the Corinthians to examine themselves, closes with encouragement to aim for restoration, and ends with a blessing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
1 This is the third time I am coming to you . In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established .
2 I told you before , and foretell you , as if I were present , the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned , and to all other , that , if I come again , I will not spare :
3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me , which to you-ward is not weak , but is mighty in you .
4 For though he was crucified through weakness , yet he liveth by the power of God . For we also are weak in him , but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you .
5 Examine yourselves , whether ye be in the faith ; prove your own selves . Know ye not your own selves , how that Jesus Christ is in you , except ye be reprobates ?
6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates .
7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil ; not that we should appear approved , but that ye should do that which is honest , though we be as reprobates .
8 For we can do nothing against the truth , but for the truth .
9 For we are glad , when we are weak , and ye are strong : and this also we wish , even your perfection .
10 Therefore I write these things being absent , lest being present I should use sharpness , according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification , and not to destruction .
11 Finally , brethren , farewell . Be perfect , be of good comfort , be of one mind , live in peace ; and the God of love and peace shall be with you .
12 Greet one another with an holy kiss .
13 All the saints salute you .
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ , and the love of God , and the communion of the Holy Ghost , be with you all . Amen . The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi , a city of Macedonia , by Titus and Lucas .