2 Corinthians 6

1 We then, [as] workers together [with him], beseech [you] also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

As a worker with him I beseech you not to 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 said. In an acceptable time have I heard thee, And in the day of salvation have I succored thee. Behold, now is the acceptable time! behold, now is the day of salvation!

3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

I am giving no one a cause of stumbling in order that my ministry may not be discredited;

4 But in all [things] approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

but in every way I am striving to commend myself as God’s minister by stedfast endurance, by afflictions, by troubles, by distresses,

5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

by floggings, by imprisonment; in riots, in labors, in sleepless watching, in hunger and thirst;

6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

with purity, understanding, patience, and kindness; by the Holy Spirit, by love sincere,

7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

by a true teaching and an energy divine; by the weapons of righteousness, for attack or for defense,

8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and [yet] true;

amid honor or dishonor, amid evil report and good report; as a deceiver 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 at death’s door, yet, strange to tell, I live on; as chastened, but not killed;

10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and [yet] possessing all things.

as grieved, but always glad; as poor, but making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

11 O [ye] Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.

O Corinthians, I am unsealing my lips to you; my heart is wide open to you.

12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.

There is no narrowness in my love; but the narrowness is in your own.

13 Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto [my] children, ) be ye also enlarged.

I pray you, therefore, in fair exchange (I speak as to my children), let your hearts also be wide open to me.

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers; for what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? what communion has light with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

What concord has Christ with Belial? 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.

And what compact has God’s temple with idols? For we are a temple of the living God, as he has said. I will dwell among them, and walk about among them; 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, Come out from among them and separate yourselves, saith the Lord, touch not what is unclean;

18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

then I will receive you and will be to you a Father, and you shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.