New King James Version

New Living Translation

Marks of the Ministry

We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

1

As God’s partners,a we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it.

2

For He says:
“In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

2

For God says,
“At just the right time, I heard you.
On the day of salvation, I helped you.”b
Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.

3

We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.

3

Paul’s Hardships

We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry.

4

But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much [a]patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,

4

In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.

5

in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings;

5

We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food.

6

by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by [b]sincere love,

6

We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us,c and by our sincere love.

7

by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

7

We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense.

8

by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;

8

We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors.

9

as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed;

9

We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed.

10

as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

10

Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

11

Be Holy

O Corinthians! [c]We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open.

11

Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you.

12

You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.

12

There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us.

13

Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.

13

I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!

14

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what [d]fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what [e]communion has light with darkness?

14

The Temple of the Living God

Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?

15

And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?

15

What harmony can there be between Christ and the devild? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?

16

And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you[f] are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”

16

And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:
“I will live in them
and walk among them.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.e

17

Therefore
“Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”

17

Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD.
Don’t touch their filthy things,
and I will welcome you.f

18

“I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.”

18

And I will be your Father,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the LORD Almighty.g”

Parallel

New King James Version

New Living Translation

2 Corinthians 6

2 Corinthians 6