| Holman Christian Standard Bible | English Standard Version |
| 1Working together with Him, we also appeal to you, "Don't receive God's grace in vain." | 1Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. |
| 2For He says: I heard you in an acceptable time, and I helped you in the day of salvation. Look, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation. | 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. |
| 3We give no opportunity for stumbling to anyone, so that the ministry will not be blamed. | 3We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, |
| 4But as God's ministers, we commend ourselves in everything: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardship, by difficulties, | 4but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, |
| 5by beatings, by imprisonments, by riots, by labors, by sleepless nights, by times of hunger, | 5beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; |
| 6by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, | 6by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; |
| 7by the message of truth, by the power of God; through weapons of righteousness on the right hand and the left, | 7by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; |
| 8through glory and dishonor, through slander and good report; as deceivers yet true; | 8through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; |
| 9as unknown yet recognized; as dying and look--we live; as being disciplined yet not killed; | 9as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; |
| 10as grieving yet always rejoicing; as poor yet enriching many; as having nothing yet possessing everything. | 10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. |
| 11We have spoken openly to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide. | 11We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. |
| 12You are not limited by us, but you are limited by your own affections. | 12You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. |
| 13I speak as to my children. As a proper response, you should also be open to us. | 13In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also. |
| 14Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? | 14Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? |
| 15What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? | 15What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? |
| 16And what agreement does God's sanctuary have with idols? For we are the sanctuary of the living God, as God said: I will dwell among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people. | 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. |
| 17Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord; do not touch any unclean thing, and I will welcome you. | 17Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, |
| 18I will be a Father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to Me, says the Lord Almighty. | 18and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” |
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