2Cor 6 | HCSB | STEP | Working together with Him, we also appeal to you , “Don’t receive God’s grace in vain .”

2 Corinthians 6

1 Working together ^{▼▼Or As we work together} with Him, we also appeal to you, “Don’t receive God’s grace in vain.” 2 For He says:

I heard you in an acceptable time,
and I helped you in the day of salvation. ^{b
,} ^c

Look, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation. ^d

The Character of Paul’s Ministry

3 We give no opportunity for stumbling to anyone, so that the ministry will not be blamed. 4 But as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves in everything:

by great endurance, by afflictions,
by hardship, by difficulties,
5 by beatings, by imprisonments, ^e
by riots, by labors,
by sleepless nights, by times of hunger,
6 by purity, ^f by knowledge, ^g
by patience, ^h by kindness, ⁱ
by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, ^j
7 by the message of truth, ^k
by the power of God; ^l
through weapons of righteousness
on the right hand and the left,
8 through glory ^m and dishonor,
through slander and good report;
as deceivers yet true;
9 as unknown yet recognized;
as dying and look – we live;
as being disciplined yet not killed;
10 as grieving yet always rejoicing; ⁿ
as poor yet enriching many;
as having nothing yet possessing everything.

11 We have spoken openly ^{▼▼Lit Our mouths have been open} to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide. 12 You are not limited by us, but you are limited by your own affections. 13 I speak as to my children. As a proper response, you should also be open to us.

Separation to God

14 Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? ^p Or what fellowship does light ^q have with darkness? ^r 15 What agreement does Christ have with Belial? ^{▼▼Or Beliar, a name for the Devil or antichrist in extra-biblical Jewish writings} Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement does God’s sanctuary have with idols? ^t For we ^{▼▼Other mss read you} are the sanctuary of the living God, as God said:

I will dwell among them ^v
and walk among them,
and I will be their God, ^w
and they will be My people. ^{x
,} ^y
17 Therefore, come out from among them
and be separate, says the Lord;
do not touch any unclean thing,
and I will welcome you. ^{z
,} ^aa
18 I will be a Father ^ab to you,
and you will be sons ^ac and daughters to Me,
says the Lord Almighty. ^{ad
,} ^ae