2 Corinthians 6:1-13

Contemporary English Version

6 We work together with God, and we beg you to make good use of God's gift of undeserved grace. ²^(A) In the Scriptures God says,

“When the time came,
I listened to you,
and when you needed help,
I came to save you.”

That time has come. This is the day for you to be saved.

³We don't want anyone to find fault with our work, and so we try hard not to cause problems. ⁴But in everything and in every way we show we truly are God's servants. We have always been patient, though we have had a lot of trouble, suffering, and hard times. ⁵^(B) We have been beaten, put in jail, and hurt in riots. We have worked hard and have gone without sleep or food. ⁶But we have kept ourselves pure and have been understanding, patient, and kind. The Holy Spirit has been with us, and our love has been real. ⁷We have spoken the truth, and God's power has worked in us. In all our struggles we have said and done only what is right.

⁸Whether we were honored or dishonored or praised or cursed, we always told the truth about ourselves. But some people said we did not. ⁹We are unknown to others, but well known to you. We seem to be dying, and yet we are still alive. We have been punished, but never killed, ¹⁰and we are always happy, even in times of suffering. Although we are poor, we have made many people rich. And though we own nothing, everything is ours.

¹¹Friends in Corinth, we are telling the truth when we say there is room in our hearts for you. ¹²We are not holding back on our love for you, but you are holding back on your love for us. ¹³I speak to you as I would speak to my own children. Please make room in your hearts for us.

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2 Corinthians 6:1-13

New International Version

6 As God’s co-workers^(A) we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.^(B) ²For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.”^[a]^(C)

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

Paul’s Hardships

³We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path,^(D) so that our ministry will not be discredited. ⁴Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; ⁵in beatings, imprisonments^(E) and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;^(F) ⁶in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit^(G) and in sincere love;^(H) ⁷in truthful speech^(I) and in the power of God;^(J) with weapons of righteousness^(K) in the right hand and in the left; ⁸through glory and dishonor,^(L) bad report^(M) and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;^(N) ⁹known, yet regarded as unknown; dying,^(O) and yet we live on;^(P) beaten, and yet not killed; ¹⁰sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;^(Q) poor, yet making many rich;^(R) having nothing,^(S) and yet possessing everything.^(T)

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