警告和问候
这是我第三次要到你们那里去。“任何指控都要凭两个或三个证人的口述才能成立。”
This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
2对那些犯了罪的人和其余所有的人，正如我第二次见你们的时候曾说过，现在不在你们那里再次说：“我若再来，必不宽容。”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因为你们想求证基督是否藉着我说话。基督对你们并不是软弱的，而是在你们里面大有能力的。Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.
4他因软弱被钉在十字架上，却因神的大能仍然活着。我们在他里面也成为软弱的，但对你们，我们将因神的大能而与他一同活着。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你们总要省察自己是否在信仰中生活；你们要考验自己。除非你们经不起考验，你们自己岂不应该知道有耶稣基督在你们里面吗？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我希望你们知道，我们并不是经不起考验的人。But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
7我们祈求神使你们不做任何恶事；这不是要显明我们是经得起考验的，而是要你们行事端正，即使我们似乎经不起考验也没有关系。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我们不能做任何对抗真理的事，只能维护真理。For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
9当我们软弱而你们刚强时，我们也欢喜。我们所祈求的是：你们能成为完全人。For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
10所以，我不在你们那里的时候，把这些话写给你们，好使我见你们的时候不用照主所给我的权柄严厉地待你们；这权柄原是为造就人，而不是为摧毁人。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末了，弟兄们，愿你们喜乐。要追求完全；要接受鼓励；要同心合意；要彼此和睦。如此，慈爱和平的神必与你们同在。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你们要用圣洁的吻彼此问安。众圣徒都向你们问安。Greet one another with an holy kiss.
13愿主耶稣基督的恩惠、神的慈爱、圣灵的感动常与你们众人同在！All the saints salute you.