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

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 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.)

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 offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

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

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

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.

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

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.

By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour 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 honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and [yet] true;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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 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.

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

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,

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 unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.