2 Corinthians 6
1 [Therefore], because I am working together with God [himself], I say this to you very strongly: God has [already] kindly [forgiven you because Christ died for you], so do not now [say] “It does not matter [if I live just to please myself].”
So we therefore as workers together beseech you, that ye receiue not the grace of God in vaine.
2 For God said [long ago in the Scriptures]: When it is the right time [for me] to help you, [you will ask me to help you], and I will hear you. Then I will [send] a Savior to help you. [So listen to what] I am telling you: God [has sent] his Savior, so now is the time when [God is ready to] save [people from the guilt of their sins].
For he sayth, I haue heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of saluation haue I succoured thee: beholde nowe the accepted time, beholde nowe the day of saluation.
3 Neither I nor the men [working] with me do anything that would hinder people from trusting in Christ, and so we cannot be accused {no one can accuse [us]} [of not] serving [God properly].
We giue no occasion of offence in any thing, that our ministerie shoulde not be reprehended.
4 Instead, in everything [that we(exc) say and do], we show [people] that we serve God faithfully. We patiently endure [all the things that happen to us. People cause us] many troubles and, as a result, we are anxious [and often do not know what to do].
But in all things we approue our selues as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5 Sometimes we have been beaten [and bound] {People have beaten [us and tied us]} [with] chains in prison. [Angry mobs] have attacked us, [wanting to kill us]. We have continued working [for God until we had no more strength to work]. We have had many sleepless nights, and we have [often been without food].
In stripes, in prisons, in tumults, in labours,
6 [All that we think about and all that we do is] pure [in God’s sight]. Knowing [how God wants us to conduct our lives, we do what pleases him]. We are patient [with those who oppose us]. We are kind [to everyone. We depend on] the Holy Spirit [to help us]. We love people sincerely [as God wants us to love them].
By watchings, by fastings, by puritie, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindnesse, by the holy Ghost, by loue vnfained,
7 We faithfully teach [the true] message [about Christ], and God [gives us] his power [as we teach it. Like soldiers] using weapons [MET] [in a battle], we, by [living] righteously, [defend God’s message and refute those who attack it].
By the worde of trueth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousnesse on the right hand, and on the left,
8 [We serve God faithfully], whether [people] praise us [(exc)] or [whether they] despise us, whether [people say] bad things [about us(exc)] or [whether they say] good things [about us. We keep teaching] the truth, [even though some people say that] we are deceiving [people].
By honour, and dishonour, by euill report, and good report, as deceiuers, and yet true:
9 [Some people] know [well that we are true servants of God, and yet others], who know us, refuse to [believe that. People have often tried to] kill us [(inc)], yet we are still alive. We have [often] been beaten, but we have not been killed {[People have often] beaten us [(exc)], but [they] have not killed us}.
As vnknowen, and yet knowen: as dying, and beholde, we liue: as chastened, and yet not killed:
10 Although we [(exc)] are often very sad [because people have rejected our message], we are always joyful [because of all that God has done for us]. Even though we [(exc)] are poor, we make [it possible for] many people to be [spiritually] rich. It is true that [in this world] we [(exc)] have nothing [valuable] [HYP], but [because we belong to God’s family], all [that God has] belongs to us.
As sorowing, and yet alway reioycing: as poore, and yet make many riche: as hauing nothing, and yet possessing all things.
11 You [fellow believers] in Corinth, [I have been] completely honest with you. [I have told you exactly how we(exc) feel about you, that] we love you very much [IDM].
O Corinthians, our mouth is open vnto you: our heart is made large.
12 We are not [treating you as though we do not] love you, but you are [treating us as though you do] not love us.
Ye are not kept strait in vs, but ye are kept strait in your owne bowels.
13 In return [for our loving you, will you not] love [us] [IDM] just as [much as we love you?] I am writing [to you] as if you were my own children.
Nowe for the same recompence, I speake as to my children, Be you also inlarged.
14 Do not (team up/have a close relationship) with anyone who does not trust [in Christ. I say this] because we who [trust in Christ and do] what is right should not [RHQ] [want to do things] with wicked people. Or [to say it in another way], just like light and darkness never join together, so [those who belong to Christ and those who belong to Satan should never join together] [RHQ].
Be not vnequally yoked with the infidels: for what fellowship hath righteousnesse with vnrighteousnesse? and what communion hath light with darkenesse?
15 There is no [RHQ] agreement of any kind between Christ and Satan. [So], believers have no [RHQ] common [spiritual] interests with unbelievers.
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath the beleeuer with the infidell?
16 [Just] as no one would [dare to bring] idols into the Temple [in Jerusalem], believers should never [RHQ] join with those who worship idols. [I say that] because [MET] [the Holy Spirit is in us, and so] we are [like] the Temple of the all-powerful God. [It is] as God himself said [in the Scriptures]: I will live in [my people]. I will always be with/helping them. [They will say to me], “You are our God,” and [I will say to them], “You are my people.”
And what agreement hath the Temple of God with idols? for ye are the Temple of the liuing God: as God hath said, I will dwell among them, and walke there: and I will be their God, and they shalbe my people.
17 [In another place in the Scriptures we read that] the Lord said: Get away from those who do evil things; keep yourselves separated from them. Do [nothing sinful that would make you] unacceptable to me. Then I will welcome you [as members of my family].
Wherefore come out from among them, and separate your selues, saith the Lord, and touch none vncleane thing, and I wil receiue you.
18 [The Lord also said]: I will [care for you] as [MET] a loving father [cares for his children], and [it will be as though] you are my own sons and daughters. I, the all-powerful Lord, am saying this [to you].
And I will be a Father vnto you, and ye shalbe my sonnes and daughters, saith the Lord almightie.
