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2 Corinthians 6
Modern English Version
2 Corinthians 6
Modern English Version
6 As workers together with God, we ask you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says:
“In an acceptable time I have listened to you,
and in the day of salvation I have helped you.”[a]
Look, now is the accepted time; look, now is the day of salvation.
3 We give no offense in anything, that our service may not be blamed. 4 But in all things we commend ourselves as servants of God: in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distress, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, and in hunger; 6 by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by genuine love, 7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and look, we live; as punished, but not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; and as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
11 O Corinthians, we have spoken frankly to you; our heart is opened wide. 12 You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as to my children) you also be open.
The Temple of the Living God
14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? What communion has light with darkness? 15 What agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what part has he who believes with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will live in them
and walk in them.
I will be their God,
and they shall be My people.”[b]
17 Therefore,
“Come out from among them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
and I will receive you.”[c]
18 “I will be a Father to you,
and you shall be My sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”[d]
2 Corinthians 6
New International Version
2 Corinthians 6
New International Version
6 As God’s co-workers(A) we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.(B) 2 For he says,
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
Paul’s Hardships
3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path,(D) so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments(E) and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;(F) 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit(G) and in sincere love;(H) 7 in truthful speech(I) and in the power of God;(J) with weapons of righteousness(K) in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor,(L) bad report(M) and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;(N) 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying,(O) and yet we live on;(P) beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;(Q) poor, yet making many rich;(R) having nothing,(S) and yet possessing everything.(T)
11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.(U) 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children(V)—open wide your hearts(W) also.
Warning Against Idolatry
14 Do not be yoked together(X) with unbelievers.(Y) For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?(Z) 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[b]?(AA) Or what does a believer(AB) have in common with an unbeliever?(AC) 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?(AD) For we are the temple(AE) of the living God.(AF) 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.”[c](AG)
17 Therefore,
“Come out from them(AH)
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.”[d](AI)
18 And,
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 6:2 Isaiah 49:8
- 2 Corinthians 6:15 Greek Beliar, a variant of Belial
- 2 Corinthians 6:16 Lev. 26:12; Jer. 32:38; Ezek. 37:27
- 2 Corinthians 6:17 Isaiah 52:11; Ezek. 20:34,41
- 2 Corinthians 6:18 2 Samuel 7:14; 7:8
Modern English Version (MEV)
The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.