2 Corinthians 6
1 As co-workers with him, we beseech you, that you receive not the grace of God in vain:
As God’s fellow workers, then, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.
2 (for he says: I have heard thee in an acceptable time, and in the day of salvation I have helped thee. Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation: )
For He says: “In the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation!
3 for we put no stumbling-block in any man’s way, in order that this ministry may not be blamed;
We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no one can discredit our ministry.
4 but in all things we commend ourselves as the ministers of God, in much suffering, in afflictions, in distresses, in straits,
Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities;
5 in stripes, in prisons, in commotions, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;
in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger;
6 by purity, by knowledge, by long forbearance, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by love unfeigned,
in purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;
7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
in truthful speech and in the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;
8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report, and good report; as impostors, yet truthful;
through glory and dishonor, slander and praise; viewed as imposters, yet genuine;
9 as unknown, yet well-known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and yet not put to death;
as unknown, yet well-known; dying, and yet we live on; punished, yet not killed;
10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing all things.
sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
11 Corinthians, our mouth is opened to you, our heart is enlarged:
We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians. Our hearts are open wide.
12 you are not straitened in us, but you are straitened in your own affections.
It is not our affection, but yours, that is restrained.
13 That you may repay me in like manner, (I speak as to children, ) be you also enlarged.
As a fair exchange, I ask you as my children: Open wide your hearts also.
14 Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? What communion has light with darkness?
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?
15 What agreement has Christ with Belial? What connection has a believer with an unbeliever?
What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
16 What has a temple of God in common with one of idols? For you are the temple of the living God, as God has said: I will dwell in them, and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”
17 For this reason, come out from among them, and separate yourselves, says the Lord, and touch not an unclean person, and I will receive you;
“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
18 and I will be to you a father, and you shall be to me sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.
And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
