2 Corinthians

The second epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians, chapter 6, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 6 New English Translation

God's Suffering Servants

   1 Now because we are fellow workers, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says, "I heard you at the acceptable time, and in the day of salvation I helped you." Look, now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation! 3 We do not give anyone an occasion for taking an offense in anything, so that no fault may be found with our ministry. 4 But as God's servants, we have commended ourselves in every way, with great endurance, in persecutions, in difficulties, in distresses, 5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in troubles, in sleepless nights, in hunger, 6 by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by benevolence, by the Holy Spirit, by genuine love, 7 by truthful teaching, by the power of God, with weapons of righteousness both for the right hand and for the left, 8 through glory and dishonor, through slander and praise; regarded as impostors, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well-known; as dying and yet - see! - we continue to live; as those who are scourged and yet not executed; 10 as sorrowful, but always rejoicing, as poor, but making many rich, as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
   11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide to you. 12 Our affection for you is not restricted, but you are restricted in your affections for us. 13 Now as a fair exchange - I speak as to my children - open wide your hearts to us also.

Unequal Partners

   14 Do not become partners with those who do not believe, for what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship does light have with darkness? 15 And what agreement does Christ have with Beliar? Or what does a believer share in common with an unbeliever? 16 And what mutual agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God, just as God said, "I will live in them and will walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." 17 Therefore "come out from their midst, and be separate," says the LORD, "and touch no unclean thing, and I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters," says the All-Powerful LORD.

King James Version

   1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
   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.)
   3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
   4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
   5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
   6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
   7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour 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;
   9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
   10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
   11 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
   12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
   13 Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.
   14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
   15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
   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.
   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,
   18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.