2 Corinthians 6:1-18 CEV

[1] We work together with God, and we beg you to make good use of God's kindness to you. [2] In the Scriptures God says, "When the time came, I listened to you, and when you needed help, I came to save you." That time has come. This is the day for you to be saved. [3] We don't want anyone to find fault with our work, and so we try hard not to cause problems. [4] But in everything and in every way we show that we truly are God's servants. We have always been patient, though we have had a lot of trouble, suffering, and hard times. [5] We have been beaten, put in jail, and hurt in riots. We have worked hard and have gone without sleep or food. [6] But we have kept ourselves pure and have been understanding, patient, and kind. The Holy Spirit has been with us, and our love has been real. [7] We have spoken the truth, and God's power has worked in us. In all our struggles we have said and done only what is right. [8] Whether we were honored or dishonored or praised or cursed, we always told the truth about ourselves. But some people said we did not. [9] We are unknown to others, but well known to you. We seem to be dying, and yet we are still alive. We have been punished, but never killed, [10] and we are always happy, even in times of suffering. Although we are poor, we have made many people rich. And though we own nothing, everything is ours. [11] Friends in Corinth, we are telling the truth when we say that there is room in our hearts for you. [12] We are not holding back on our love for you, but you are holding back on your love for us. [13] I speak to you as I would speak to my own children. Please make room in your hearts for us. [14] Stay away from people who are not followers of the Lord! Can someone who is good get along with someone who is evil? Are light and darkness the same? [15] Is Christ a friend of Satan? Can people who follow the Lord have anything in common with those who don't? [16] Do idols belong in the temple of God? We are the temple of the living God, as God himself says, "I will live with these people and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people." [17] The Lord also says, "Leave them and stay away! Don't touch anything that isn't clean. Then I will welcome you [18] and be your Father. You will be my sons and my daughters, as surely as I am God, the All-Powerful."