2 Corinthians 6

1 And we helping do exhort you, that you receive not the grace of God in vain.

Working together with him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

2 For he saith: In an accepted time have I heard thee; and in the day of salvation have I helped thee. Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

For he says, “In a favorable time I paid attention to you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Look, now is the favorable time. Look, now is the day of salvation.

3 Giving no offence to any man, that our ministry be not blamed:

We do not place a stumbling block in front of anyone, for we do not wish our ministry to be discredited.

4 But in all things let us exhibit ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in tribulation, in necessities, in distresses,

Instead, we prove ourselves by all our actions, that we are God's servants. We are his servants in much endurance, affliction, distress, hardship,

5 In stripes, in prisons, in seditions, in labours, in watchings, in fastings,

beatings, imprisonments, riots, in hard work, in sleepless nights, in hunger,

6 In chastity, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in sweetness, in the Holy Ghost, in charity unfeigned,

in purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love.

7 In the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armour of justice on the right hand and on the left;

We are his servants in the word of truth, in the power of God. We have the armor of righteousness for the right hand and for the left.

8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet known;

We work in honor and dishonor, in slander and praise. We are accused of being deceitful and yet we are truthful.

9 As dying, and behold we live; as chastised, and not killed;

We work as if we were unknown and we are still well known. We work as dying and—see!—we are still living. We work as being punished for our actions but not as condemned to death.

10 As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as needy, yet enriching many; as having nothing, and possessing all things.

We work as sorrowful, but we are always rejoicing. We work as poor, but we are making many rich. We work as having nothing and yet as possessing all things.

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

We have spoken the whole truth to you, Corinthians, and our heart is wide open.

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

You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own hearts.

13 But having the same recompense, (I speak as to my children, ) be you also enlarged.

Now in fair exchange—I speak as to children—open yourselves wide also.

14 Bear not the yoke with unbelievers. For what participation hath justice with injustice? Or what fellowship hath light with darkness?

Do not be tied together with unbelievers. For what association does righteousness have with lawlessness? For what fellowship does light have with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath the faithful with the unbeliever?

What agreement can Christ have with Beliar? Or what share does a believer have together with an unbeliever?

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God; as God saith: I will dwell in them, and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

And what agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God, just as God said: “I will dwell among them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

17 Wherefore, Go out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing:

Therefore, “Come out from among them, and be set apart,” says the Lord. “Touch no unclean thing, and I will welcome you.

18 And I will receive you; and I will be a Father to you; and you shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

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