2 Corinthians - Chapter 6

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

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

2 (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.)

2 (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 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

15 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 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.

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

17 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 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

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