| New King James Version | New International Version |
| 1We then, as workers together with Him also plead with 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 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, "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 give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. | 3We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. |
| 4But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, | 4Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; |
| 5in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; | 5in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; |
| 6by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, | 6in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; |
| 7by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, | 7in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; |
| 8by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet 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 chastened, 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, and yet possessing all things. | 10sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; 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, and opened wide our hearts to you. |
| 12You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. | 12We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. |
| 13Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open. | 13As a fair exchange--I speak as to my children--open wide your hearts 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 be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? |
| 15And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? | 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have 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.” | 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 “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 them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive 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 Lord Almighty." |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. 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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