Parallel Bible results for "2 corinthians 6:4-13"

2 Corinthians 6:4-13

The Message Bible MSG

4 Our work as God's servants gets validated - or not - in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times;

5 when we're beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating;

6 with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love;

7 when we're telling the truth, and when God's showing his power; when we're doing our best setting things right;

8 when we're praised, and when we're blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted;

9 ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die;

10 immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all.

11 Dear, dear Corinthians, I can't tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life.

12 We didn't fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren't small, but you're living them in a small way.

13 I'm speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!

New International Version NIV

4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;

5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;

6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;

7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;

8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;

9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed;

10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.

12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us.

13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.