2 Corinthians 6 Holman Christian Standard Bible

6 Working together^[a] with Him, we also appeal to you, “Don’t receive God’s grace in vain.” ²For He says:

I heard you in an acceptable time,
and I helped you in the day of salvation.^(A)^[b]

Look, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation.^(B)

The Character of Paul’s Ministry

³We give no opportunity for stumbling to anyone, so that the ministry will not be blamed. ⁴But as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves in everything:

by great endurance, by afflictions,
by hardship, by difficulties,
⁵by beatings, by imprisonments,^(C)
by riots, by labors,
by sleepless nights, by times of hunger,
⁶by purity,^(D) by knowledge,^(E)
by patience,^(F) by kindness,^(G)
by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,^(H)
⁷by the message of truth,^(I)
by the power of God;^(J)
through weapons of righteousness
on the right hand and the left,
⁸through glory^(K) and dishonor,
through slander and good report;
as deceivers yet true;
⁹as unknown yet recognized;
as dying and look—we live;
as being disciplined yet not killed;
¹⁰as grieving yet always rejoicing;^(L)
as poor yet enriching many;
as having nothing yet possessing everything.

¹¹We have spoken openly^[c] to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide. ¹²You are not limited by us, but you are limited by your own affections. ¹³I speak as to my children. As a proper response, you should also be open to us.

Separation to God

¹⁴Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness?^(M) Or what fellowship does light^(N) have with darkness?^(O) ¹⁵What agreement does Christ have with Belial?^[d] Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶And what agreement does God’s sanctuary have with idols?^(P) For we^[e] are the sanctuary of the living God, as God said:

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