2 Corinthians 6

1As God's fellow workers, we beg you not to receive God's grace and then waste it.

2For God says: At the right time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you. I tell you, now is the right time; now is the day of salvation.

3We do not put anything in anyone's way, so that no one can find fault with our work.

4Instead, in every single circumstance, we prove we serve God. We patiently endure extreme troubles, hardships, and disasters.

5Mighty mobs beat us, throw us into prison, and riot against us. We work exhausted, go without sleep, and endure hunger.

6We prove ourselves through pure living, true knowledge, patience, and kindness. We serve by the Holy Spirit and through sincere, genuine love.

7We speak God's truth, powered by His mighty strength! We hold weapons of righteousness in our right hand and left hand!

8People honor us, and people insult us. Some tell evil lies about us, while others speak well of us. Critics call us fakes, yet we always tell the truth!

9The world ignores us, yet God knows us completely. We face death daily, yet look, we are still alive! Enemies beat our bodies, but God keeps us from death.

10Our hearts feel sorrow, yet we overflow with constant joy! We are dirt poor, yet we make many people spiritually rich! We own nothing in this world, yet we possess everything!

11We have spoken openly to you, dear Corinthians, and opened our hearts wide to you.

12We are not holding back our love for you, but you are holding back your love for us.

13I am speaking to you as my children: open your hearts wide to us in return.

14Do not team up with unbelievers like mismatched work animals! How can doing right partner with doing evil? How can bright light live together with pitch darkness?

15What agreement can exist between Christ and the devil? What does a true believer share with an ungodly unbeliever?

16What partnership can the temple of God have with dirty idols? We are the holy temple of the living God! As God has said: I will live with them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

17So: Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch anything unclean, and I will welcome you.

18And: I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.