6:1
As his fellow-workers, we urge you not to let your acceptance of his grace come to nothing.
6:2
As he said, 'At the time of my favour I have answered you; on the day of salvation I have helped you'; well, now is the real time of favour, now the day of salvation is here.
6:3
We avoid putting obstacles in anyone's way, so that no blame may attach to our work of service;
6:4
but in everything we prove ourselves authentic servants of God; by resolute perseverance in times of hardships, difficulties and distress;
6:5
when we are flogged or sent to prison or mobbed; labouring, sleepless, starving;
6:6
in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness; in the Holy Spirit, in a love free of affectation;
6:7
in the word of truth and in the power of God; by using the weapons of uprightness for attack and for defence:
6:8
in times of honour or disgrace, blame or praise; taken for impostors and yet we are genuine;
6:9
unknown and yet we are acknowledged; dying, and yet here we are, alive; scourged but not executed;
6:10
in pain yet always full of joy; poor and yet making many people rich; having nothing, and yet owning everything.
6:11
People of Corinth, we have spoken frankly and opened our heart to you.
6:12
Any distress you feel is not on our side; the distress is in your own selves.
6:13
In fair exchange -- I speak as though to children of mine -- you must open your hearts too.
6:14
Do not harness yourselves in an uneven team with unbelievers; how can uprightness and law-breaking be partners, or what can light and darkness have in common?
6:15
How can Christ come to an agreement with Beliar and what sharing can there be between a believer and an unbeliever?
6:16
The temple of God cannot compromise with false gods, and that is what we are -- the temple of the living God. We have God's word for it: I shall fix my home among them and live among them; I will be their God and they will be my people.
6:17
Get away from them, purify yourselves, says the Lord. Do not touch anything unclean, and then I shall welcome you.
6:18
I shall be father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to me, says the almighty Lord.
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