2 Corinthians 6

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

Therefore, as God’s fellow workers, we also appeal to you not to receive his loving kindness in vain.

2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation.)

For he says – ‘At the time for acceptance I listened to you, and on the day of deliverance I helped you.’ Now is the time for acceptance! Now is the day of deliverance!

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

Never do we put an obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry.

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

No, we are trying to commend ourselves under all circumstances, as God’s assistants should – in many an hour of endurance, in troubles, in hardships, in difficulties,

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

in floggings, in imprisonments, in riots, in toils, in sleepless nights, in hunger;

6 By pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by love unfeigned,

by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindliness, by holiness of spirit, by unfeigned love;

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

by the message of truth, and by the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;

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

amid honor and disrepute, amid slander and praise; regarded as deceivers, yet proved to be true;

9 As unknown, and [yet] well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

as unknown, yet well-known; as at death’s door, yet, see, we are living; as chastised, yet not killed;

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

as saddened, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet enriching many; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things!

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

We have been speaking freely to you, dear friends in Corinth; we have opened our heart;

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

there is room there for you, yet there is not room, in your love, for us.

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

Can you not in return – I appeal to you as I should to children – open your hearts to us?

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 enter into inconsistent relations with those who reject the faith. For what partnership can there be between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what has light to do with darkness?

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

What harmony can there be between Christ and Belial? Or what can those who accept the faith have in common with those who reject it?

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 can there be between a temple of God and idols? And we are a temple of the living God. That is what God meant when he said – ‘I will live among them, and walk among 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 “Come out from among the nations, and separate yourselves from them,” says the Lord, “And touch nothing impure; and I will welcome you;

18 And [I] will be a Father to 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, the Ruler of all.’