New International Version | Berean Study Bible |
1As God's co-workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. | 1As God’s fellow workers, then, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. |
2For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. | 2For He says: “In the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation! |
3We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. | 3We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no one can discredit our ministry. |
4Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; | 4Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities; |
5in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; | 5in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger; |
6in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; | 6in purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; |
7in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; | 7in truthful speech and in the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; |
8through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; | 8through glory and dishonor, slander and praise; viewed as imposters, yet genuine; |
9known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; | 9as unknown, yet well-known; dying, and yet we live on; punished, yet not killed; |
10sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. | 10sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. |
11We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. | 11We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians. Our hearts are open wide. |
12We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. | 12It is not our affection, but yours, that is restrained. |
13As a fair exchange--I speak as to my children--open wide your hearts also. | 13As a fair exchange, I ask you as my children: Open wide your hearts also. |
14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? | 14Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? |
15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? | 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? |
16What 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." | 16What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” |
17Therefore, "Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." | 17“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” |
18And, "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." | 18And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” |
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