1This third time I am coming^* to you. “On the testimony of two or three witnesses a fact shall be established.”^a 2I warned those who sinned earlier^* and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not be lenient, 3^* since you are looking for proof of Christ speaking in me. He is not weak toward you but powerful in you. 4For indeed he was crucified out of weakness, but he lives by the power of God. So also we are weak in him, but toward you we shall live with him by the power of God.