| New King James Version | NET Bible |
| 1We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. | 1Now because we are fellow workers, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain. |
| 2For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. | 2For he says, "I heard you at the acceptable time, and in the day of salvation I helped you." Look, now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation! |
| 3We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. | 3We do not give anyone an occasion for taking an offense in anything, so that no fault may be found with our ministry. |
| 4But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, | 4But as God's servants, we have commended ourselves in every way, with great endurance, in persecutions, in difficulties, in distresses, |
| 5in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; | 5in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in troubles, in sleepless nights, in hunger, |
| 6by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, | 6by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by benevolence, by the Holy Spirit, by genuine love, |
| 7by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, | 7by truthful teaching, by the power of God, with weapons of righteousness both for the right hand and for the left, |
| 8by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; | 8through glory and dishonor, through slander and praise; regarded as impostors, and yet true; |
| 9as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; | 9as unknown, and yet well-known; as dying and yet--see!--we continue to live; as those who are scourged and yet not executed; |
| 10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. | 10as sorrowful, but always rejoicing, as poor, but making many rich, as having nothing, and yet possessing everything. |
| 11O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. | 11We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide to you. |
| 12You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. | 12Our affection for you is not restricted, but you are restricted in your affections for us. |
| 13Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open. | 13Now as a fair exchange--I speak as to my children--open wide your hearts to us also. |
| 14Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? | 14Do not become partners with those who do not believe, for what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship does light have with darkness? |
| 15And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? | 15And what agreement does Christ have with Beliar? Or what does a believer share in common with an unbeliever? |
| 16And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” | 16And what mutual agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God, just as God said, "I will live in them and will walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." |
| 17Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” | 17Therefore "come out from their midst, and be separate," says the Lord, "and touch no unclean thing, and I will welcome you, |
| 18“I will be a Father to you, And you shall 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 All-Powerful Lord. |
|
