2 Corinthians 6 - Unequally Yoked
Paul calls believers to holiness and separation from unbelief.
Following his description of the ministry of reconciliation in 2 Corinthians 5, Paul lists the hardships he has endured as a minister of God and declares, 'now is the accepted time... now is the day of salvation.' He then turns to a direct command about holy living.
And working together also we call upon `you' that ye receive not in vain the grace of God --
for He saith, `In an acceptable time I did hear thee, and in a day of salvation I did help thee, lo, now `is' a well-accepted time; lo, now, a day of salvation,' --
in nothing giving any cause of offence, that the ministration may be not blamed,
but in everything recommending ourselves as God's ministrants; in much patience, in tribulations, in necessities, in distresses,
in stripes, in imprisonments, in insurrections, in labours, in watchings, in fastings,
in pureness, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned,
in the word of truth, in the power of God, through the armour of the righteousness, on the right and on the left,
through glory and dishonour, through evil report and good report, as leading astray, and true;
as unknown, and recognized; as dying, and lo, we live; as chastened, and not put to death;
as sorrowful, and always rejoicing; as poor, and making many rich; as having nothing, and possessing all things.
Our mouth hath been open unto you, O Corinthians, our heart hath been enlarged!
ye are not straitened in us, and ye are straitened in your `own' bowels,
and `as' a recompense of the same kind, (as to children I say `it',) be ye enlarged -- also ye!
Become not yoked with others -- unbelievers, for what partaking `is there' to righteousness and lawlessness?
and what fellowship to light with darkness? and what concord to Christ with Belial? or what part to a believer with an unbeliever?
and what agreement to the sanctuary of God with idols? for ye are a sanctuary of the living God, according as God said -- `I will dwell in them, and will walk among `them', and I will be their God, and they shall be My people,
wherefore, come ye forth out of the midst of them, and be separated, saith the Lord, and an unclean thing do not touch, and I -- I will receive you,
and I will be to you for a Father, and ye -- ye shall be to Me for sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.'