| English Standard Version | New International Version |
| 1Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. | 1As God's co-workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. |
| 2For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. | 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. |
| 3We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, | 3We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. |
| 4but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, | 4Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; |
| 5beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; | 5in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; |
| 6by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; | 6in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; |
| 7by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; | 7in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; |
| 8through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; | 8through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; |
| 9as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; | 9known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; |
| 10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, 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; our heart is wide open. | 11We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. |
| 12You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. | 12We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. |
| 13In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also. | 13As a fair exchange--I speak as to my children--open wide your hearts also. |
| 14Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? | 14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? |
| 15What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? | 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? |
| 16What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. | 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." |
| 17Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, | 17Therefore, "Come out from 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 shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” | 18And, "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." |
| ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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