2 Corinthians 6:4–18

⁴Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; ⁵in beatings, imprisonments^b and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;^{c 6}in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit^d and in sincere love;^{e 7}in truthful speech^f and in the power of God;^g with weapons of righteousness^h in the right hand and in the left; ⁸through glory and dishonor,ⁱ bad report^j and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;^{k 9}known, yet regarded as unknown; dying,^l and yet we live on;^m beaten, and yet not killed; ¹⁰sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;ⁿ poor, yet making many rich;^o having nothing,^p and yet possessing everything.^q

¹¹We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.^{r 12}We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. ¹³As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children^s—open wide your hearts^t also.

Warning Against Idolatry

¹⁴Do not be yoked together^u with unbelievers.^v For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?^{w 15}What harmony is there between Christ and Belial^b?^x Or what does a believer^y have in common with an unbeliever?^{z 16}What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?^a For we are the temple^b of the living God.^c As God has said:

“I will live with them

and walk among them,

and I will be their God,

and they will be my people.”^cd

¹⁷Therefore,

“Come out from them^e

and be separate,

says the Lord.

Touch no unclean thing,

and I will receive you.”^df

¹⁸And,

“I will be a Father to you,

and you will be my sons and daughters,^g

says the Lord Almighty.”^eh