2 Corinthians 6

1 We then, working together with God, make our request to you not to take the grace of God to no purpose.

And also working together we call on [you] that you do not receive the grace of God in vain—

2 (For he says, I have given ear to you at a good time, and I have been your helper in a day of salvation: see, now is the good time; now is the day of salvation):

for He says, “In an acceptable time I heard you, and in a day of salvation I helped you, behold, now [is] a well-accepted time; behold, now, a day of salvation.”

3 Giving no cause for trouble in anything, so that no one may be able to say anything against our work;

In nothing giving any cause of offense, that the ministry may not be blamed,

4 But in everything making it clear that we are the servants of God, in quiet strength, in troubles, in need, in sorrow,

but in everything recommending ourselves as God’s servants; in much patience, in tribulations, in necessities, in distresses,

5 In blows, in prisons, in attacks, in hard work, in watchings, in going without food;

in stripes, in imprisonments, in insurrections, in labors, in watchings, in fastings,

6 In a clean heart, in knowledge, in long waiting, in being kind, in the Holy Spirit, in true love,

in pureness, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in unhypocritical love,

7 In the true word, in the power of God; with the arms of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

in the word of truth, in the power of God, through the armor of righteousness, on the right and on the left,

8 By glory and by shame, by an evil name and a good name; as untrue, and still true;

through glory and dishonor, through evil report and good report, as leading astray, and true;

9 Unnoted, but still kept fully in mind; as near to death, but still living; as undergoing punishment, but not put to death;

as unknown, and recognized; as dying, and behold, we live; as disciplined, and not put to death;

10 As full of sorrow, but ever glad; as poor, but giving wealth to others; as having nothing, but still having all things.

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

11 Our mouth is open to you, O Corinthians, our heart is wide.

Our mouth has been open to you, O Corinthians, our heart has been enlarged!

12 It is not our feelings to you which are narrow, but yours to us.

You are not restricted in us, and you are restricted in your [own] yearnings,

13 Now to give me back payment of the same sort (I am talking as to my children), let your hearts be wide open to me.

and [as] a repayment of the same kind (as to children I say [it]), be enlarged—also you!

14 Do not keep company with those who have not faith: for what is there in common between righteousness and evil, or between light and dark?

Do not become yoked with others—unbelievers, for what partaking [is there] to righteousness and lawlessness?

15 And what agreement is there between Christ and the Evil One? or what part has one who has faith with one who has not?

And what fellowship to light with darkness? And what concord to Christ with Belial? Or what part to a believer with an unbeliever?

16 And what agreement has the house of God with images? for we are a house of the living God; even as God has said, I will be living among them, and walking with them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people.

And what agreement to the temple of God with idols? For you are a temple of the living God, according as God said, “I will dwell in them, and will walk among [them], and I will be their God, and they will be My people,

17 For which cause, Come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, and let no unclean thing come near you; and I will take you for myself,

for this reason, come forth out of the midst of them, and be separated, says the LORD, and do not touch an unclean thing, and I will receive you,

18 And will be a Father to you; and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord, the Ruler of all.

and I will be for a Father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to Me, says the LORD Almighty.”