2 Corinthians 6

As those who serve with God, we encourage you to accept fully what God has graciously done {for you}, so that it changes {how you live}.

{You should do that} because God says {in the scripture}: “When I considered it to be the right time, I heard you {and acted}. Indeed, when I was rescuing {people}, I assisted you.” Right now is when God considers it to be the best time! Indeed, right now is when God is rescuing {people}!

We avoid doing anything that might offend others. That way, no one can criticize how we serve {God}. \*

Rather, we prove that we are trustworthy in every way while we serve God. We always persevere when people hurt and persecute us.

{We persevere} when people strike us, put us in jail, and stir up crowds against us. {We persevere} when we work hard, do not sleep much, and go hungry.

We are free from evil things, we know {what is true}, and we do not easily become angry. We care {for others}, we have the Holy Spirit, and we love {people} sincerely.

We proclaim what is true, and God enables us to act powerfully. We are righteous, which is like having a sword in one hand and a shield in the other. \*

Some people honor us, and others shame us. Some people say bad things about us, and others say good things about us. Some people think that we tell lies, but really we speak what is true.

Some people think that nobody acknowledges us, but really, God acknowledges us. Some people think that we are dying, but really, we are alive! Some people think that God is punishing us, but really, he has not decided that we should die.

Some people think that we mourn, but really, we continually rejoice. Some people think that we are needy, but really, we help many people gain what is truly valuable. Some people think that we do not have anything, but really, we have everything. \*

Fellow believers in the city of Corinth, we have told you what is true, and we care for you greatly.

We are not the ones who have stopped {caring for you}. Rather, it is you who have stopped caring {for us}.

Now I will speak to you {as if you thought in simple ways} like children {do}: since we care for you, it would only be right if you cared for us in return. \*

Do not join in with people who do not trust {the Messiah}. {I say that} because what is right and what is wrong have nothing in common. Further, what is good shares nothing with what is evil.

The Messiah does not agree {about anything} with the devil Beliar. Further, people who trust {the Messiah} do not belong with people who do not trust {the Messiah}.

God’s temple does not go together with other gods. In fact, it is as if we {who believe} were the only real God’s temple. {You can tell that we are God’s temple} because God spoke {these words in the Scriptures}: “I will be with my people. Indeed, I will not leave them. They will consider me to be their God and I will consider them to be my people.” \*

So then, {we should do what} the Lord {God} says {in the Scriptures}: “Get away from people {who do not serve me}. Make sure that you are different {than them}. Stay away from anything that defiles you.” {He says,} “Then, I will gladly receive you.”

Further, the Lord {God}, who rules all things, says, “I will be your father. You will be my sons and daughters.” \*