2 Corinthians 6

1 As co-workers with him, we beseech you, that you receive not the grace of God in vain:

As workers together with God we also plead with you not to make your acceptance of God's grace worthless.

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: )

Just as God said, “At the right time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I rescued you.” Believe me: now is the right time! 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 don't put anything in anyone's way that would trip them up, making sure the work we do won't be criticized.

4 but in all things we commend ourselves as the ministers of God, in much suffering, in afflictions, in distresses, in straits,

Instead we try to demonstrate we are good servants of God in every way we can. With a great deal of patience we put up with all kinds of trouble, hardship, and distress.

5 in stripes, in prisons, in commotions, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;

We have been beaten up, thrown into prison, and attacked by mobs. We have been worked to the bone, suffering sleepless nights and hunger.

6 by purity, by knowledge, by long forbearance, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by love unfeigned,

We demonstrate who we are by living blameless lives in the knowledge of God, with a great deal of patience, being kind and filled with the Holy Spirit, showing 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,

We speak truthfully, living in the power of God. Our weapons consist of what is true and right; we attack with our right hand and we defend with our left.

8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report, and good report; as impostors, yet truthful;

We continue whether we are honored or dishonored, whether we are cursed or praised. People call us frauds but we tell the truth.

9 as unknown, yet well-known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and yet not put to death;

We are disregarded, even though we are well-known; given up for dead, but we're still alive; lashed, but not killed.

10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing all things.

Seen as miserable, we are always rejoicing; as poor, but we make many rich; as destitute, but we own everything!

11 Corinthians, our mouth is opened to you, our heart is enlarged:

I've been speaking bluntly, my Corinthian friends, loving you with a big heart!

12 you are not straitened in us, but you are straitened in your own affections.

We haven't kept our love from you, but you have kept your love from us.

13 That you may repay me in like manner, (I speak as to children, ) be you also enlarged.

Please respond in the same way, as if you were my children, and be big-hearted!

14 Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? What communion has light with darkness?

Don't join together with people who don't believe—for what connection does goodness have with wickedness? What do light and darkness have in common?

15 What agreement has Christ with Belial? What connection has a believer with an unbeliever?

How could Christ and the Devil ever agree? How could a believer and an unbeliever share together?

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 compromise could the Temple of God make with idols? For we are a temple of the living God, just as God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. 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;

“So leave them, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don't touch anything that is unclean, and I will accept you.”

18 and I will be to you a father, and you shall be to me sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.

“I will be like a Father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”