2 Corinthians 6:1-7:4

English Standard Version

6 ^(A)Working together with him, then, ^(B)we appeal to you ^(C)not to receive the grace of God in vain. ²For 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. ³We ^(G)put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, ⁴but ^(H)as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: ^(I)by great endurance, ^(J)in afflictions, ^(K)hardships, calamities, ⁵^(L)beatings, imprisonments, ^(M)riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; ⁶^(N)by purity, ^(O)knowledge, patience, kindness, ^(P)the Holy Spirit, ^(Q)genuine love; ⁷by ^(R)truthful speech, and ^(S)the power of God; with ^(T)the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; ⁸through honor and dishonor, ^(U)through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; ⁹as 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.

¹¹We have spoken freely to you,^[a] Corinthians; ^(AC)our heart is wide open. ¹²You 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? ¹⁶What 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.
¹⁷Therefore ^(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.”

7 Since we have these promises, beloved, ^(AQ)let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body^[c] and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

Paul's Joy

²^(AR)Make room in your hearts^[d] for us. ^(AS)We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. ³I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that ^(AT)you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. ⁴I am acting with ^(AU)great boldness toward you; ^(AV)I have great pride in you; ^(AW)I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.