2 Corinthians 6

AMP — Amplified Bible (AMP)

NIVUK — New International Version - UK Bible (NIVUK)

Verse 1

Working together with Him, we strongly urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain [by turning away from sound doctrine and His merciful kindness].

As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.

Verse 2

For He says,

“At the acceptable time (the time of grace) I listened to you,
And I helped you on the day of salvation.”

Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation”—

For he says,

‘In the time of my favour I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.’^[a]

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

Paul’s hardships

Verse 3

we put no obstruction in anyone’s path, so that the ministry will not be discredited,

We put no stumbling-block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.

Verse 4

but we commend ourselves in every way as servants of God: in great endurance, in sufferings, in hardships, in distresses,

Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;

Verse 5

in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in sleepless nights, in hunger,

in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;

Verse 6

in purity and sincerity, in knowledge and spiritual insight, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,

in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;

Verse 7

in [speaking] the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand [like holding the sword to attack] and for the left [like holding the shield to defend],

in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;

Verse 8

amid glory and dishonor; by evil report and good report; branded as deceivers and yet [vindicated as] truthful;

through glory and dishonour, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;

Verse 9

as unknown [to the world], yet well-known [by God and His people]; as dying, yet we live; as punished, yet not killed;

known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed;

Verse 10

as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet bestowing riches on many; as having nothing, yet possessing all things.

sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Verse 11

We are speaking freely to you, Corinthians [we are keeping nothing back], and our heart is opened wide.

We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.

Verse 12

There is no limit to our affection for you, but you are limited in your own affection [for us].

We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us.

Verse 13

Now in the same way as a fair exchange [for our love toward you]—I am speaking as [I would] to children—open wide [your hearts] to us also.

As a fair exchange – I speak as to my children – open wide your hearts also.

Warning against idolatry

Verse 14

Do not be unequally bound together with unbelievers [do not make mismatched alliances with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership can righteousness have with lawlessness? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

Verse 15

What harmony can there be between Christ and Belial (Satan)? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

What harmony is there between Christ and Belial^[b]? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

Verse 16

What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said:

“I will dwell among them and walk among them;
And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. 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]

Verse 17

“So come out from among unbelievers and be separate,” says the Lord,
“And do not touch what is unclean;
And I will graciously receive you and welcome you [with favor],

Therefore,

‘Come out from them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.’^[d]

Verse 18

And I will be a Father to you,
And you will be My sons and daughters,”
Says the Lord Almighty.

And,

‘I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.’^[e]