2 Corinthians 6

As God’s co-workers^u we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.^v For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,

and in the day of salvation I helped you.”^w

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

Paul’s Hardships

We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path,^a so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments^b and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;^c in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit^d and in sincere love;^e in truthful speech^f and in the power of God;^g with weapons of righteousness^h in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor,ⁱ bad report^j and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;^k known, yet regarded as unknown; dying,^l and yet we live on;^m beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;ⁿ poor, yet making many rich;^o having nothing,^p and yet possessing everything.^q

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

Warning Against Idolatry

Do not be yoked together^a with unbelievers.^b For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?^c What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?^d Or what does a believer^e have in common with an unbeliever?^f What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?^g For we are the temple^h of the living God.ⁱ 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.”^j

Therefore,

“Come out from them^k

and be separate,

says the Lord.

Touch no unclean thing,

and I will receive you.”^l

And,

“I will be a Father to you,

and you will be my sons and daughters,^m

says the Lord Almighty.”ⁿ