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].”

Wir ermahnen aber euch als Mithelfer, daß ihr nicht vergeblich die Gnade Gottes empfanget.

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].

Denn er spricht: Ich habe dich in der angenehmen Zeit erhöret und habe dir am Tage des Heils geholfen. Sehet, jetzt ist die angenehme Zeit, jetzt ist der Tag des Heils.

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].

Lasset uns aber niemand irgendein Ärgernis geben, auf daß unser Amt nicht verlästert werde;

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].

sondern in allen Dingen lasset uns beweisen als die Diener Gottes: in großer Geduld, in Trübsalen, in Nöten, in Ängsten,

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 Schlägen, in Gefängnissen, in Aufruhren, in Arbeit, in Wachen, in Fasten,

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].

in Keuschheit, in Erkenntnis, in Langmut, in Freundlichkeit, in dem Heiligen Geist, in ungefärbter Liebe,

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].

in dem Wort der Wahrheit, in der Kraft Gottes, durch Waffen der Gerechtigkeit zur Rechten und zur Linken;

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].

durch Ehre und Schande, durch böse Gerüchte und gute Gerüchte; als die Verführer und doch wahrhaftig;

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}.

als die Unbekannten und doch bekannt; als die Sterbenden, und siehe, wir leben; als die Gezüchtigten und doch nicht ertötet;

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.

als die Traurigen, aber allezeit fröhlich; als die Armen, aber die doch viele reich machen; als die nichts innehaben und doch alles haben.

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 ihr Korinther, unser Mund hat sich zu euch aufgetan; unser Herz ist getrost.

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.

Unserthalben dürft ihr euch nicht ängsten. Daß ihr euch aber ängstet, das tut ihr aus herzlicher Meinung.

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.

Ich rede mit euch als mit meinen Kindern, daß ihr euch auch also gegen mich stellet und seiet auch getrost.

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].

Ziehet nicht am fremden Joch mit den Ungläubigen! Denn was hat die Gerechtigkeit für Genieß mit der Ungerechtigkeit? Was hat das Licht für Gemeinschaft mit der Finsternis?

15 There is no [RHQ] agreement of any kind between Christ and Satan. [So], believers have no [RHQ] common [spiritual] interests with unbelievers.

Wie stimmt Christus mit Belial? Oder was für ein Teil hat der Gläubige mit dem Ungläubigen?

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.”

Was hat der Tempel Gottes für Gleichheit mit den Götzen? Ihr aber seid der Tempel des lebendigen Gottes, wie denn Gott spricht: Ich will in ihnen wohnen und in ihnen wandeln und will ihr Gott sein, und sie sollen mein Volk sein.

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].

Darum gehet aus von ihnen und sondert euch ab, spricht der HERR, und rühret kein Unreines an, so will ich euch annehmen.

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].

und euer Vater sein, und ihr sollet meine Söhne und Töchter sein, spricht der allmächtige HERR.