6:1   Since, then, we are working with God, we plead with you not to accept God's grace in vain.

6:2   For he says, "At the right time I heard you, and on a day of salvation I helped you." Listen, now is really the "right time"! Now is the "day of salvation"!

6:3   We do not put an obstacle in anyone's way. Otherwise, fault may be found with our ministry.

6:4   Instead, in every way we demonstrate that we are God's servants by tremendous endurance in the midst of difficulties, hardships, and calamities;

6:5   in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights, and hunger;

6:6   with purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; with the Holy Spirit, genuine love,

6:7   truthful speech, and divine power; through the weapons of righteousness in the right and left hands;

6:8   through honor and dishonor; through ill repute and good repute; perceived as deceivers and yet true,

6:9   as unknown and yet well-known, as dying and yet-as you see-very much alive, as punished and yet not killed,

6:10   as sorrowful and yet always rejoicing, as poor and yet enriching many, as having nothing and yet possessing everything.

6:11   We have spoken frankly to you, Corinthians. Our hearts are wide open.

6:12   We have not cut you off, but you have cut off your own feelings toward us.

6:13   Do us a favor-I ask you as my children-and open wide your hearts.

6:14   Stop becoming unevenly yoked with unbelievers. What partnership can righteousness have with lawlessness? What fellowship can light have with darkness?

6:15   What harmony exists between Christ and Beliar, or what do a believer and an unbeliever have in common?

6:16   What agreement can a temple of God make with idols? For we are the temple of the living God, just as God said: "I will live and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people."

6:17   Therefore, "Get away from them and separate yourselves from them," declares the Lord, "and don't touch anything unclean. Then I will welcome you.

6:18   I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters," declares the Lord Almighty.