< 2 Corinthians 6 >
1 Working together, we entreat also that you not receive the grace of God in vain,
As co-workers, however, we also beseech, that, not in vain, the favour of God, ye welcome;
2 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."
For he saith—In an approved season, have I hearkened unto thee, and, in a day of salvation, have succoured thee; —Lo! now, a well-approved season, Lo! now, a day of salvation:
3 We give no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our service may not be blamed,
Giving, no single, occasion of stumbling, in anything, that the ministry be not blamed;
4 but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
But, in everything, commending ourselves as God’s ministers, —in much endurance, in tribulations, in necessities, in straits,
5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;
in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in toilings, in watchings, in fastings,
6 in pureness, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love,
in sanctity, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in graciousness, in Holy Spirit,
7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
in love unfeigned, in discourse of truth, in power of God; through the weapons of righteousness on the right hand and left,
8 by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;
through glory and dishonour, through bad report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true,
9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and look, we live; as punished, and not killed;
as unknown, and yet well-known, as dying, and lo! we live, as disciplined, and yet not put to death,
10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
as grieving, yet, ever, rejoicing, as destitute, yet making, many, rich, as holding, nothing, and yet firmly holding, all things.
11 Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians. Our heart is enlarged.
Our mouth, is opened unto you, O Corinthians! our heart, hath become enlarged:
12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.
Ye are not straitened in us, but are straitened in your hearts’ affections;
13 Now in return, I speak as to my children, you also be open wide.
Howbeit, by way of the like recompense—as, unto children, I speak, be enlarged, even, ye.
14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
Be not getting diversely yoked with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship hath light with darkness?
15 What agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what portion has a believer with an unbeliever?
And what concord hath Christ with Beliar? Or what part hath a believer with an unbeliever?
16 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."
And what agreement hath a shrine of God with idols? For, we, are [the] shrine of a God, that liveth: —even as God hath said—will dwell in them, and walk, and will be their God, and, they, shall be my people.
17 Therefore, "'Go out from their midst, and be separate,' says the Lord, 'and touch no unclean thing,' and I will receive you.
Wherefore come ye forth out of their midst, and be separated, —saith [the] Lord, —and, one impure, do not touch; and, I, will give you welcome,
18 "And I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters," says the Lord Almighty.
And will become your Father, and, ye, shall become my sons and daughters, saith [the] Lord Almighty.