2 Corinthians 6 :: New Living Translation (NLT)

2Co 6:1As God’s partners,[fn] we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it.

2Co 6:2For God says,
“At just the right time, I heard you.
On the day of salvation, I helped you.”[fn] Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.

Paul’s Hardships

2Co 6:3

2Co 6:3We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry.

2Co 6:4

2Co 6:4In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.

2Co 6:5

2Co 6:5We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food.

2Co 6:6

2Co 6:6We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us,[fn] and by our sincere love.

2Co 6:7

2Co 6:7We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense.

2Co 6:8

2Co 6:8We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors.

2Co 6:9

2Co 6:9We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed.

2Co 6:10

2Co 6:10Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

2Co 6:11

2Co 6:11Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you.

2Co 6:12

2Co 6:12There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us.

2Co 6:13

2Co 6:13I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!

The Temple of the Living God

2Co 6:14

2Co 6:14Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?

2Co 6:15

2Co 6:15What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil[fn]? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?

2Co 6:16

2Co 6:16And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:
“I will live in them
and walk among them.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.[fn]

2Co 6:17

2Co 6:17Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD.
Don’t touch their filthy things,
and I will welcome you.[fn]

2Co 6:18

2Co 6:18And I will be your Father,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the LORD Almighty.[fn]”