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2 Corinthians 6:3-10
New International Version
2 Corinthians 6:3-10
New International Version
Paul’s Hardships
3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path,(A) so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments(B) and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;(C) 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit(D) and in sincere love;(E) 7 in truthful speech(F) and in the power of God;(G) with weapons of righteousness(H) in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor,(I) bad report(J) and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;(K) 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying,(L) and yet we live on;(M) beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;(N) poor, yet making many rich;(O) having nothing,(P) and yet possessing everything.(Q)
2 Corinthians 6:3-10
The Message
2 Corinthians 6:3-10
The Message
Staying at Our Post
6 1-10 Companions as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us. God reminds us,
I heard your call in the nick of time;
The day you needed me, I was there to help.
Well, now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped. Don’t put it off; don’t frustrate God’s work by showing up late, throwing a question mark over everything we’re doing. Our work as God’s servants gets validated—or not—in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we’re beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we’re telling the truth, and when God’s showing his power; when we’re doing our best setting things right; when we’re praised, and when we’re blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all.
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The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson