12 Don’t let anyone look down on you(A) because you are young, but set an example(B) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith(C) and in purity.

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In everything set them an example(A) by doing what is good.(B) In your teaching show integrity, seriousness

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22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love(A) and peace, along with those who call on the Lord(B) out of a pure heart.(C)

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15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.(A)

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not lording it over(A) those entrusted to you, but being examples(B) to the flock.

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For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;(A) and to knowledge, self-control;(B) and to self-control, perseverance;(C) and to perseverance, godliness;(D) and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.(E) For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive(F) in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.(G)

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11 Follow my example,(A) as I follow the example of Christ.(B)

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You became imitators of us(A) and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering(B) with the joy(C) given by the Holy Spirit.(D)

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15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

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The Parable of the Wandering Sheep(A)

10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels(B) in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.

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Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

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Two Kinds of Wisdom

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it(A) by their good life, by deeds(B) done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

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17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven(A) is first of all pure; then peace-loving,(B) considerate, submissive, full of mercy(C) and good fruit, impartial and sincere.(D)

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10 When Timothy(A) comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord,(B) just as I am. 11 No one, then, should treat him with contempt.(C) Send him on his way(D) in peace(E) so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.

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For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example.(A) We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked(B) night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help,(C) but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.(D)

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Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

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14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly,(A) along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.(B)

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10 You are witnesses,(A) and so is God,(B) of how holy,(C) righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.

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Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments(A) and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;(B) in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit(C) and in sincere love;(D) in truthful speech(E) and in the power of God;(F) with weapons of righteousness(G) in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor,(H) bad report(I) and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;(J) known, yet regarded as unknown; dying,(K) and yet we live on;(L) beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;(M) poor, yet making many rich;(N) having nothing,(O) and yet possessing everything.(P)

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.(Q) 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children(R)—open wide your hearts(S) also.

Warning Against Idolatry

14 Do not be yoked together(T) with unbelievers.(U) For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?(V) 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[a]?(W) Or what does a believer(X) have in common with an unbeliever?(Y) 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?(Z) For we are the temple(AA) of the living God.(AB) As God has said:

“I will live with them
    and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.”[b](AC)

17 Therefore,

“Come out from them(AD)
    and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
    and I will receive you.”[c](AE)

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 6:15 Greek Beliar, a variant of Belial
  2. 2 Corinthians 6:16 Lev. 26:12; Jer. 32:38; Ezek. 37:27
  3. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Isaiah 52:11; Ezek. 20:34,41

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