2 Corinthians 6

1 As workers together with God we also plead with you not to make your acceptance of God's grace worthless.

We then, working together with God, make our request to you not to take the grace of God to no purpose.

2 Just as God said, “At the right time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I rescued you.” Believe me: now is the right time! Now is the day of salvation!

(For he says, I have given ear to you at a good time, and I have been your helper in a day of salvation: see, now is the good time; now is the day of salvation):

3 We don't put anything in anyone's way that would trip them up, making sure the work we do won't be criticized.

Giving no cause for trouble in anything, so that no one may be able to say anything against our work;

4 Instead we try to demonstrate we are good servants of God in every way we can. With a great deal of patience we put up with all kinds of trouble, hardship, and distress.

But in everything making it clear that we are the servants of God, in quiet strength, in troubles, in need, in sorrow,

5 We have been beaten up, thrown into prison, and attacked by mobs. We have been worked to the bone, suffering sleepless nights and hunger.

In blows, in prisons, in attacks, in hard work, in watchings, in going without food;

6 We demonstrate who we are by living blameless lives in the knowledge of God, with a great deal of patience, being kind and filled with the Holy Spirit, showing sincere love.

In a clean heart, in knowledge, in long waiting, in being kind, in the Holy Spirit, in true love,

7 We speak truthfully, living in the power of God. Our weapons consist of what is true and right; we attack with our right hand and we defend with our left.

In the true word, in the power of God; with the arms of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

8 We continue whether we are honored or dishonored, whether we are cursed or praised. People call us frauds but we tell the truth.

By glory and by shame, by an evil name and a good name; as untrue, and still true;

9 We are disregarded, even though we are well-known; given up for dead, but we're still alive; lashed, but not killed.

Unnoted, but still kept fully in mind; as near to death, but still living; as undergoing punishment, but not put to death;

10 Seen as miserable, we are always rejoicing; as poor, but we make many rich; as destitute, but we own everything!

As full of sorrow, but ever glad; as poor, but giving wealth to others; as having nothing, but still having all things.

11 I've been speaking bluntly, my Corinthian friends, loving you with a big heart!

Our mouth is open to you, O Corinthians, our heart is wide.

12 We haven't kept our love from you, but you have kept your love from us.

It is not our feelings to you which are narrow, but yours to us.

13 Please respond in the same way, as if you were my children, and be big-hearted!

Now to give me back payment of the same sort (I am talking as to my children), let your hearts be wide open to me.

14 Don't join together with people who don't believe—for what connection does goodness have with wickedness? What do light and darkness have in common?

Do not keep company with those who have not faith: for what is there in common between righteousness and evil, or between light and dark?

15 How could Christ and the Devil ever agree? How could a believer and an unbeliever share together?

And what agreement is there between Christ and the Evil One? or what part has one who has faith with one who has not?

16 What compromise could the Temple of God make with idols? For we are a temple of the living God, just as God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

And what agreement has the house of God with images? for we are a house of the living God; even as God has said, I will be living among them, and walking with them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people.

17 “So leave them, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don't touch anything that is unclean, and I will accept you.”

For which cause, Come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, and let no unclean thing come near you; and I will take you for myself,

18 “I will be like a Father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

And will be a Father to you; and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord, the Ruler of all.