2 Corinthians 6

6Working together ^wwith Him, we also appeal to you, “Don’t receive God’s grace in vain.” ²For He says:

I heard you in an acceptable time,

and I helped you in the day of salvation. ^xy

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

The Character of Paul’s Ministry

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

by great endurance, by afflictions,

by hardship, by difficulties,

⁵by beatings, by imprisonments, ^a

by riots, by labors,

by sleepless nights, by times of hunger,

⁶by purity, ^bby knowledge, ^c

by patience, ^dby kindness, ^e

by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, ^f

⁷by the message of truth, ^g

by the power of God; ^h

through weapons of righteousness

on the right hand and the left,

⁸through glory ⁱand dishonor,

through slander and good report;

as deceivers yet true;

⁹as unknown yet recognized;

as dying and look—we live;

as being disciplined yet not killed;

¹⁰as grieving yet always rejoicing; ^j

as poor yet enriching many;

as having nothing yet possessing everything.

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

Separation to God

¹⁴Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? ^lOr what fellowship does light ^mhave with darkness? ⁿ¹⁵What agreement does Christ have with Belial? ^oOr what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶And what agreement does God’s sanctuary have with idols? ^pFor we ^qare the sanctuary of the living God, as God said:

I will dwell among them ^r

and walk among them,

and I will be their God, ^s

and they will be My people. ^tu

¹⁷Therefore, come out from among them

and be separate, says the Lord;

do not touch any unclean thing,

and I will welcome you. ^vw

¹⁸I will be a Father ^xto you,

and you will be sons ^yand daughters to Me,

says the Lord Almighty. ^za