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2 Corinthians 6:14-7:7
English Standard Version
2 Corinthians 6:14-7:7
English Standard Version
The Temple of the Living God
14 (A)Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For (B)what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or (C)what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 (D)What accord has Christ with Belial?[a] Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For (E)we are the temple of the living God; as God said,
(F)“I will make my dwelling among them and (G)walk among them,
and (H)I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
17 Therefore (I)go out from their midst,
and be separate from them, says the Lord,
and touch no unclean thing;
then I will welcome you,
18 (J)and I will be a father to you,
and you shall be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty.”
7 Since we have these promises, beloved, (K)let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body[b] and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
Paul's Joy
2 (L)Make room in your hearts[c] for us. (M)We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that (N)you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. 4 I am acting with (O)great boldness toward you; (P)I have great pride in you; (Q)I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.
5 For even (R)when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—(S)fighting without and fear within. 6 But (T)God, who comforts the downcast, (U)comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 6:15 Greek Beliar
- 2 Corinthians 7:1 Greek flesh
- 2 Corinthians 7:2 Greek lacks in your hearts
2 Corinthians 6:14-7:7
New International Version
2 Corinthians 6:14-7:7
New International Version
Warning Against Idolatry
14 Do not be yoked together(A) with unbelievers.(B) For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?(C) 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[a]?(D) Or what does a believer(E) have in common with an unbeliever?(F) 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?(G) For we are the temple(H) of the living God.(I) 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](J)
17 Therefore,
“Come out from them(K)
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.”[c](L)
18 And,
7 Therefore, since we have these promises,(O) dear friends,(P) let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness(Q) out of reverence for God.
Paul’s Joy Over the Church’s Repentance
2 Make room for us in your hearts.(R) We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts(S) that we would live or die with you. 4 I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you.(T) I am greatly encouraged;(U) in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.(V)
5 For when we came into Macedonia,(W) we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn(X)—conflicts on the outside, fears within.(Y) 6 But God, who comforts the downcast,(Z) comforted us by the coming of Titus,(AA) 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 6:15 Greek Beliar, a variant of Belial
- 2 Corinthians 6:16 Lev. 26:12; Jer. 32:38; Ezek. 37:27
- 2 Corinthians 6:17 Isaiah 52:11; Ezek. 20:34,41
- 2 Corinthians 6:18 2 Samuel 7:14; 7:8
Ecclesiastes 4-6
English Standard Version
Ecclesiastes 4-6
English Standard Version
Evil Under the Sun
4 (A)Again I (B)saw all (C)the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had (D)no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. 2 And I (E)thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive. 3 But (F)better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.
4 Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is (G)vanity[a] and a striving after wind.
5 The fool (H)folds his hands and (I)eats his own flesh.
6 (J)Better is a handful of (K)quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.
7 (L)Again, I saw vanity under the sun: 8 one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his (M)eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, (N)“For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy (O)business.
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, (P)but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
13 Better was (Q)a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how (R)to take advice. 14 For he went (S)from prison to the throne, though in his own kingdom he had been born poor. 15 I saw all the living who move about under the sun, along with that[b] youth who was to stand in the king's[c] place. 16 There was no end of all the people, all of whom he led. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is (T)vanity and a striving after wind.
Fear God
5 [d] (U)Guard your steps when you go to (V)the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to (W)offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2 [e] Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore (X)let your words be few. 3 For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with (Y)many words.
4 When (Z)you vow a vow to God, (AA)do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. (AB)Pay what you vow. 5 (AC)It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. 6 Let not your mouth lead you[f] into sin, and do not say before (AD)the messenger[g] that it was (AE)a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? 7 For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity;[h] but[i] (AF)God is the one you must fear.
The Vanity of Wealth and Honor
8 (AG)If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, (AH)do not be amazed at the matter, (AI)for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. 9 But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.[j]
10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. 11 When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? 12 Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.
13 (AJ)There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, 14 and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. 15 (AK)As he came from his mother's womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. 16 This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what (AL)gain is there to him who (AM)toils for the wind? 17 Moreover, all his days he (AN)eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger.
18 Behold, what I have seen to be (AO)good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment[k] in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his (AP)lot. 19 Everyone also to whom (AQ)God has given (AR)wealth and possessions (AS)and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is (AT)the gift of God. 20 For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.
6 (AU)There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind: 2 a man (AV)to whom (AW)God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he (AX)lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God (AY)does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity;[l] it is a grievous evil. 3 If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, so that (AZ)the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with life's (BA)good things, and he also has no (BB)burial, I say that (BC)a stillborn child is better off than he. 4 For it comes in vanity and goes in darkness, and in darkness its name is covered. 5 Moreover, it has not (BD)seen the sun or known anything, yet it finds (BE)rest rather than he. 6 Even though he should live a thousand years twice over, yet enjoy[m] no good—do not all go to the one place?
7 (BF)All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied.[n] 8 For what advantage has the wise man (BG)over the fool? And what does the poor man have who knows how to conduct himself before the living? 9 Better (BH)is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is (BI)vanity and a striving after wind.
10 Whatever has come to be has (BJ)already been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to (BK)dispute with one stronger than he. 11 The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man? 12 For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his (BL)vain[o] life, which he passes like (BM)a shadow? For who can tell man what will be (BN)after him under the sun?
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 4:4 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath”; also verses 7, 8, 16 (see note on 1:2)
- Ecclesiastes 4:15 Hebrew the second
- Ecclesiastes 4:15 Hebrew his
- Ecclesiastes 5:1 Ch 4:17 in Hebrew
- Ecclesiastes 5:2 Ch 5:1 in Hebrew
- Ecclesiastes 5:6 Hebrew your flesh
- Ecclesiastes 5:6 Or angel
- Ecclesiastes 5:7 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath”; also verse 10 (see note on 1:2)
- Ecclesiastes 5:7 Or For when dreams and vanities increase, words also grow many; but
- Ecclesiastes 5:9 The meaning of the Hebrew verse is uncertain
- Ecclesiastes 5:18 Or and see good
- Ecclesiastes 6:2 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath”; also verses 4, 9, 11 (see note on 1:2)
- Ecclesiastes 6:6 Or see
- Ecclesiastes 6:7 Hebrew filled
- Ecclesiastes 6:12 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath” (see note on 1:2)
Ecclesiastes 4-6
New International Version
Ecclesiastes 4-6
New International Version
Oppression, Toil, Friendlessness
4 Again I looked and saw all the oppression(A) that was taking place under the sun:
I saw the tears of the oppressed—
and they have no comforter;
power was on the side of their oppressors—
and they have no comforter.(B)
2 And I declared that the dead,(C)
who had already died,
are happier than the living,
who are still alive.(D)
3 But better than both
is the one who has never been born,(E)
who has not seen the evil
that is done under the sun.(F)
4 And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.(G)
5 Fools fold their hands(H)
and ruin themselves.
6 Better one handful with tranquillity
than two handfuls with toil(I)
and chasing after the wind.
7 Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:
8 There was a man all alone;
he had neither son nor brother.
There was no end to his toil,
yet his eyes were not content(J) with his wealth.
“For whom am I toiling,” he asked,
“and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?”
This too is meaningless—
a miserable business!
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Advancement Is Meaningless
13 Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning. 14 The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. 15 I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king’s successor. 16 There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
Fulfill Your Vow to God
5 [a]Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.
2 Do not be quick with your mouth,
do not be hasty in your heart
to utter anything before God.(K)
God is in heaven
and you are on earth,
so let your words be few.(L)
3 A dream(M) comes when there are many cares,
and many words mark the speech of a fool.(N)
4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it.(O) He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.(P) 5 It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.(Q) 6 Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? 7 Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.(R)
Riches Are Meaningless
8 If you see the poor oppressed(S) in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. 9 The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.
10 Whoever loves money never has enough;
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.
This too is meaningless.
11 As goods increase,
so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owners
except to feast their eyes on them?
12 The sleep of a laborer is sweet,
whether they eat little or much,
but as for the rich, their abundance
permits them no sleep.(T)
13 I have seen a grievous evil under the sun:(U)
wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners,
14 or wealth lost through some misfortune,
so that when they have children
there is nothing left for them to inherit.
15 Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb,
and as everyone comes, so they depart.(V)
They take nothing from their toil(W)
that they can carry in their hands.(X)
16 This too is a grievous evil:
As everyone comes, so they depart,
and what do they gain,
since they toil for the wind?(Y)
17 All their days they eat in darkness,
with great frustration, affliction and anger.
18 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink(Z) and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor(AA) under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions,(AB) and the ability to enjoy them,(AC) to accept their lot(AD) and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.(AE) 20 They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.(AF)
6 I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind: 2 God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them,(AG) and strangers enjoy them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil.(AH)
3 A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn(AI) child is better off than he.(AJ) 4 It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. 5 Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man— 6 even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?(AK)
7 Everyone’s toil is for their mouth,
yet their appetite is never satisfied.(AL)
8 What advantage have the wise over fools?(AM)
What do the poor gain
by knowing how to conduct themselves before others?
9 Better what the eye sees
than the roving of the appetite.
This too is meaningless,
a chasing after the wind.(AN)
10 Whatever exists has already been named,(AO)
and what humanity is has been known;
no one can contend
with someone who is stronger.
11 The more the words,
the less the meaning,
and how does that profit anyone?
12 For who knows what is good for a person in life, during the few and meaningless days(AP) they pass through like a shadow?(AQ) Who can tell them what will happen under the sun after they are gone?
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 5:1 In Hebrew texts 5:1 is numbered 4:17, and 5:2-20 is numbered 5:1-19.
Psalm 47
English Standard Version
Psalm 47
English Standard Version
God Is King over All the Earth
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of (A)the Sons of Korah.
47 (B)Clap your hands, all peoples!
(C)Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
2 For the Lord, the Most High, (D)is to be feared,
(E)a great king over all the earth.
3 He (F)subdued peoples under us,
and nations under our feet.
4 He chose our (G)heritage for us,
(H)the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah
5 God (I)has gone up with a shout,
the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises!
Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
7 For God is (J)the King of all the earth;
sing praises (K)with a psalm![a]
8 God (L)reigns over the nations;
God sits on his holy throne.
9 (M)The princes of the peoples gather
as the people of the God of Abraham.
For (N)the shields of the earth belong to God;
he is highly exalted!
Footnotes
- Psalm 47:7 Hebrew maskil
Psalm 47
New International Version
Psalm 47
New International Version
Psalm 47[a]
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
2 For the Lord Most High(C) is awesome,(D)
the great King(E) over all the earth.
3 He subdued(F) nations under us,
peoples under our feet.
4 He chose our inheritance(G) for us,
the pride of Jacob,(H) whom he loved.[b]
Footnotes
- Psalm 47:1 In Hebrew texts 47:1-9 is numbered 47:2-10.
- Psalm 47:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
- Psalm 47:9 Or shields
Proverbs 22:16
English Standard Version
Proverbs 22:16
English Standard Version
16 Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth,
or gives to the rich, (A)will only come to poverty.
Proverbs 22:16
New International Version
Proverbs 22:16
New International Version
16 One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth
and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.