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].”

We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that you receive not the grace of God in vain.

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 says, I have heard you in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored you: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

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].

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

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 approving ourselves 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 imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;

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 pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

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 word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness 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 honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, 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 unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and 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 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having 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 you Corinthians, our mouth is open to you, our heart is enlarged.

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.

You are not straitened in us, but you are straitened in your own 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.

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

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 you not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness?

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 has Christ with Belial? or what part has he that believes with an infidel?

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 has the temple of God with idols? for you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be 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].

Why come out from among them, and be you separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive 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 will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.