New Revised Standard NRS
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain.
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We then, working together with God, make our request to you not to take the grace of God to no purpose.
2 For he says, "At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you." See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!
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(For he says, I have given ear to you at a good time, and I have been your helper in a day of salvation: see, now is the good time; now is the day of salvation):
3 We are putting no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry,
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Giving no cause for trouble in anything, so that no one may be able to say anything against our work;
4 but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,
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But in everything making it clear that we are the servants of God, in quiet strength, in troubles, in need, in sorrow,
5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger;
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In blows, in prisons, in attacks, in hard work, in watchings, in going without food;
6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love,
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In a clean heart, in knowledge, in long waiting, in being kind, in the Holy Spirit, in true love,
7 truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;
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In the true word, in the power of God; with the arms of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8 in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true;
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By glory and by shame, by an evil name and a good name; as untrue, and still true;
9 as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see—we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed;
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Unnoted, but still kept fully in mind; as near to death, but still living; as undergoing punishment, but not put to death;
10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
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As full of sorrow, but ever glad; as poor, but giving wealth to others; as having nothing, but still having all things.
11 We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you.
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Our mouth is open to you, O Corinthians, our heart is wide.
12 There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours.
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It is not our feelings to you which are narrow, but yours to us.
13 In return—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also.
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Now to give me back payment of the same sort (I am talking as to my children), let your hearts be wide open to me.
14 Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship is there between light and darkness?
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Do not keep company with those who have not faith: for what is there in common between righteousness and evil, or between light and dark?
15 What agreement does Christ have with Beliar? Or what does a believer share with an unbeliever?
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And what agreement is there between Christ and the Evil One? or what part has one who has faith with one who has not?
16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
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And what agreement has the house of God with images? for we are a house of the living God; even as God has said, I will be living among them, and walking with them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people.
17 Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you,
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For which cause, Come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, and let no unclean thing come near you; and I will take you for myself,
18 and I will be your father, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
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And will be a Father to you; and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord, the Ruler of all.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.