2 Corinthians 6 DBY
Summary: Paul urges the Corinthians not to receive God's grace in vain, listing at length the hardships, sufferings, and virtues by which he and his companions commend themselves as servants of God — afflictions, beatings, sleepless nights, yet marked by purity, knowledge, patience, and genuine love. He appeals for the Corinthians to open their hearts wide to him as he has to them, then issues a sharp warning against being "unequally yoked with unbelievers" (v. 14), asking what partnership light can have with darkness or a believer with an unbeliever, and calls them to "come out from their midst, and be separate" as God's temple.
1But [as] fellow-workmen, we also beseech that ye receive not the grace ofGod in vain:
2(for he says, I have listened to thee in an accepted time, and I have helped thee in a day of salvation: behold, now [is the] well-accepted time; behold, now [the] day of salvation:)
3giving no manner of offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed;
4but in everything commending ourselves asGod's ministers, in much endurance, in afflictions, in necessities, in straits,
5in stripes, in prisons, in riots, in labours, in watchings, in fastings,
6in pureness, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in kindness, in [the] Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned,
7in [the] word of truth, in [the] power ofGod; through the arms of righteousness on the right hand and left,
8through glory and dishonour, through evil report and good report: as deceivers, and true;
9as unknown, and well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as disciplined, and not put to death;
10as grieved, but always rejoicing; as poor, but enriching many; as having nothing, and possessing all things.
11Our mouth is opened to you, Corinthians, our heart is expanded.
12Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your affections;
13but for an answering recompense, (I speak as to children,) let your heart also expand itself.
14Be not diversely yoked with unbelievers; for what participation [is there] between righteousness and lawlessness? or what fellowship of light with darkness?
15and what consent of Christ with Beliar, or what part for a believer along with an unbeliever?
16and what agreement ofGod's temple with idols? for ye are [the] livingGod's temple; according asGod has said, I will dwell among them, and walk among [them]; and I will be theirGod, and they shall be to me a people.
17Wherefore come out from the midst of them, and be separated, saith [the] Lord, and touch not [what is] unclean, and I will receive you;
18and I will be to you for a Father, and ye shall be to me for sons and daughters, saith [the] Lord Almighty.
Also read this chapter in: KJV, WEB, ASV, WYC, GNV, WBT, YLT