(A)Working together with him, then, (B)we appeal to you (C)not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says,

(D)“In a favorable time I listened to you,
    and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, (E)now is the (F)favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We (G)put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but (H)as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: (I)by great endurance, (J)in afflictions, (K)hardships, calamities, (L)beatings, imprisonments, (M)riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; (N)by purity, (O)knowledge, patience, kindness, (P)the Holy Spirit, (Q)genuine love; by (R)truthful speech, and (S)the power of God; with (T)the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, (U)through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and (V)yet well known; (W)as dying, and behold, we live; (X)as punished, and yet not killed; 10 (Y)as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; (Z)as poor, yet making many rich; (AA)as having nothing, (AB)yet possessing everything.

11 We have spoken freely to you,[a] Corinthians; (AC)our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but (AD)you are restricted in your own affections. 13 (AE)In return (I speak (AF)as to children) widen your hearts also.

The Temple of the Living God

14 (AG)Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For (AH)what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or (AI)what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 (AJ)What accord has Christ with Belial?[b] Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For (AK)we are the temple of the living God; as God said,

(AL)“I will make my dwelling among them and (AM)walk among them,
    and (AN)I will be their God,
    and they shall be my people.
17 Therefore (AO)go out from their midst,
    and be separate from them, says the Lord,
and touch no unclean thing;
    then I will welcome you,
18 (AP)and I will be a father to you,
    and you shall be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty.”

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 6:11 Greek Our mouth is open to you
  2. 2 Corinthians 6:15 Greek Beliar

Working together with him, we also appeal to you, “Don’t receive the grace of God in vain.” For he says:

At an acceptable time I listened to you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.[a](A)

See, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation!(B)

The Character of Paul’s Ministry

We are not giving anyone an occasion for offense, so that the ministry will not be blamed. Instead, as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves in everything: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardships, by difficulties, by beatings, by imprisonments,(C) by riots, by labors, by sleepless nights, by times of hunger, by purity,(D) by knowledge,(E) by patience,(F) by kindness,(G) by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,(H) by the word of truth,[b](I) by the power of God;(J) through weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, through glory(K) and dishonor, through slander and good report; regarded as deceivers, yet true; as unknown, yet recognized; as dying, yet see—we live; as being disciplined, yet not killed; 10 as grieving, yet always rejoicing;(L) as poor, yet enriching many; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. 11 We have spoken openly to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide. 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 I speak as to my children; as a proper response, open your heart to us.

Separation to God

14 Do not be yoked together with those who do not believe. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness?(M) Or what fellowship does light(N) have with darkness?(O) 15 What agreement does Christ have with Belial?[c] Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement does the temple of God have with idols?(P) For we[d] are the temple of the living God, as God said:

I will dwell(Q)
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,(R)
and they will be my people.[e](S)
17 Therefore, come out from among them
and be separate, says the Lord;
do not touch any unclean thing,
and I will welcome you.[f](T)
18 And I will be a Father(U) to you,
and you will be sons(V) and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty.[g](W)

Footnotes

  1. 6:2 Is 49:8
  2. 6:7 Or by truthful speech
  3. 6:15 Or Beliar
  4. 6:16 Other mss read you
  5. 6:16 Lv 26:12; Jr 31:33; 32:38; Ezk 37:26
  6. 6:17 Is 52:11
  7. 6:18 2Sm 7:14; Is 43:6; 49:22; 60:4; Hs 1:10