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. |