< 2 Corinthians 6 >
1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
Working together, we entreat also that you not receive the grace of God in vain,
2 ( For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
for he says, "At an acceptable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I helped you." Look, now is the "acceptable time." Look, now is the "day of salvation."
3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
We give no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our service may not be blamed,
4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;
6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
in pureness, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love,
7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;
9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and look, we live; as punished, and not killed;
10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
11 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians. Our heart is enlarged.
12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.
13 Now for a recompence in the same, ( I speak as unto my children, ) be ye also enlarged.
Now in return, I speak as to my children, you also be open wide.
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
What agreement has Messiah with Belial? Or what portion has a believer with an unbeliever?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
What agreement has a temple of God with idols? For we are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people."
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
Therefore, "'Go out from their midst, and be separate,' says the Lord, 'and touch no unclean thing,' and I will receive you.
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
"And I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters," says the Lord Almighty.