God's Word Into My Heart - Ron's Paraphrased Bible

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Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

2 Corinthians 1 - RWB Paraphrase (24 V)
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1 Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God at Corinth, and all the saints at Achaia. 2 Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the LORD Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be God His Father who is the Father of mercies, 4 comforting us in all our afflictions, helping us to comfort others. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our comfort is abundant through Christ. 6 And when we are afflicted it is for our own good, and as we are comforted, we appreciate it even more. 7 We hope that you are firmly grounded, knowing that as you are afflicted you will also be comforted. 8 For we would like for you to be aware of our affliction in Asia, to the extent that we even despaired of life. 9 In fact, we felt the threat of death so that we did not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from the threat of death and we know that He will yet deliver us. 11 You also joined us through you prayers. We have many people to thank for their prayers. 12 For we can say with a clear conscience that we have conducted ourselves in the world by the grace of God with His wisdom. 13 We are writing to you only what we want you to understand until the end. 14 Just as you acknowledged us in part, we rejoice that you will be with us in the day of the LORD. 15 With all this in mind, I had intended to come to you before this and extend another blessing, 16 and to pass your way as I traveled to Macedonia, and then again when I returned to Judea. 17 I had fully intended to do this, 18 but if God allows, we intended to yet come to you. 19 And when I, or Silvanus, or Timothy have preached to you, it has always been by God's will. 20 God always carries out His promises and sometimes He does this through us. 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us in Himself, 22 also sealed us and placed His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. 23 And I call God as witness that I could not come to Corinth. 24 Please understand that we do not want to be in charge of your faith, for we are fellow workers with you to help you remain firm in your faith.

2 Corinthians 2 - RWB Paraphrase (17 V)
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1 I have determined that I do not want to come to you in sorrow again. 2 If I cause you sorrow, who will make me glad? 3 So I am writing to you about this so that when I come you will make me rejoice and we can be happy together. 4 It was with much anguish and tears that I wrote to you, hoping that you would understand how much I love you. 5 But if someone has caused sorrow, it was not sorrow just for me, but for all of you. 6 Such a one should have his punishment inflicted by the majority, 7 after which you are to forgive and comfort him, lest he be overwhelmed with much grief. 8 And I urge you to then reaffirm your love for him. 9 I wrote you to see if you are obedient in all things. 10 Anyone that you forgive, I will also forgive. I do this in the presence of Christ for your sakes, 11 lest Satan should get an advantage over us. We know of his devices. 12 When the door opened for me to go to Troas for the gospel of Christ, 13 I had no rest for my spirit. When I did not find my brother Titus, I took my leave for Macedonia. 14 But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ. He manifests through us the sweet aroma of knowledge of Him in every place. 15 For we are to God a fragrance of Christ, in those that are saved and those that perish. 16 We are either the aroma of life or of death. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not peddling the word of God, as some do, but in sincerity from God we speak in Christ.

2 Corinthians 3 - RWB Paraphrase (18 V)
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1 Are we now commending ourselves? Do we need letters commending us to you? 2 You are our commendation read by all men. 3 And you show that you are a letter of Christ, and have been cared for by us. This letter was not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on human hearts. 4 Such is the confidence we have through Christ toward God. 5 We know that our adequacy is not from ourselves, but from God. 6 He has made us able to be ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit, for the letter kills but the Spirit gives life. 7 But if those letters engraved on stone came from glory, causing the children of Israel to look away from Moses because of the glory shining from his face, even as it faded, 8 so will the ministry of the Spirit be given with even greater glory. 9 For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, how much more will the ministry of righteousness abound in glory. 10 The former glory is surpassed by this new glory. 11 For if the former glory fades, how much more will this glory endure. 12 Because of this hope we are bold in our proclamation. 13 We are not like Moses who had to place a veil over his face because Israel could not bear to look at what was fading away. 14 Their minds were blinded, for until this day the veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It is only removed through Christ. 15 But even now the veil remains over their hearts whenever Moses is read. 16 But when a person turns to the LORD the veil is removed. 17 Now the LORD is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled faces, see as in a mirror the glory of the LORD, being transformed into His image, from glory to glory, because of the Spirit of the LORD.

2 Corinthians 4 - RWB Paraphrase (18 V)
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1 Therefore, since we have this ministry and receive mercy, we do not lose heart, 2 for we have renounced those things that bring shame, and we do not walk in craftiness, altering the word of God. Instead we present truth commending ourselves to the conscience of men in God's sight. 3 And even if our gospel seems veiled to some, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 It is Christ who preaches through us. We are his servants. 6 For God, Who said, let the light shine out of darkness, has shown in our hearts the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 We have this treasure in earthen vessels, demonstrating the surpassing greatness of God, and not any power of our own. 8 We are afflicted on every side, yet not crushed. We are perplexed but we do not despair, 9 though persecuted, not forsaken, cast down but not destroyed, 10 always testifying of Jesus death so that His life may be manifested in our body. 11 For while we live we are constantly being delivered unto death for Jesus sake, that His life may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life is in you. 13 We have the same spirit of faith. As it is written, I believe, therefore I have spoken. As we believe, so we speak. 14 We know that He who raised the LORD Jesus will raise us, and present us with you. 15 All things have been done for your sake, so that the abundant grace may spread to many, resulting in thanks to the glory of God. 16 So, do not lose heart, though our outer man is perishing, the inner man is renewed every day. 17 For the affliction we experience now will seem momentary when compared to the eternal weight of glory, 18 while we look not at what we now see, but to that which is not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things not seen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 5 - RWB Paraphrase (21 V)
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1 We know that when our earthly body has been torn down, God will make a house for us that will last forever in heaven. 2 While we are in this present house we groan as we long to be clothed with the dwelling we will have in heaven. 3 When we put it on we will not be naked. 4 For while we are in this tabernacle it is a burden to us, because we must cloth it, so that our mortality will be swallowed up by life. 5 God is preparing us for what is to come by giving us His Spirit as a pledge. 6 Therefore, be of good courage knowing that while we inhabit our present body we are absent from the LORD. 7 We walk by faith and not by sight. 8 We are of good courage, always willing to be absent from this body and present with the LORD. 9 And it is our ambition, whether at home in our present body, or absent with the LORD, to please Him. 10 We all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so each day we are responsible for the deeds of the body, whether good or bad. 11 Therefore, having the fear of the LORD, we persuade men, having manifested ourselves to God, and I trust that we are manifest also in your consciences. 12 We are not commending ourselves when we give you opportunity to appreciate what we do, knowing that everything needs to be a matter of the heart and not appearances. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God. And if we are thinking clearly, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us helping us to understand that if One died for us, then all are dead. 15 He died for everyone so that those who live might no longer live for themselves, because He who died, rose again in their behalf. 16 So from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, we no longer know Him this way. 17 Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away and all things have become new. 18 All things are of God who has reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them. He has promise reconciliation to us. 20 So we are ambassadors for Christ and God makes an appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God. 21 God made His Son, who knew no sin, to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God through Jesus.

2 Corinthians 6 - RWB Paraphrase (18 V)
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1 As workers together with God, we urge you to not receive His grace in vain. 2 For He says, at the right time I will help you, and behold, that time is now, for this is the day of salvation. 3 Give no cause for offense, lest the ministry be discredited. 4 In everything commend ourselves as ministers of God, being patient in afflictions, hardships, distresses, 5 in beatings, imprisonments, in tumults, labors, in watching, in fasting, 6 by pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, and kindness, by the Holy Spirit and by genuine love, 7 in the word of truth, by the armor of righteousness on all sides, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil and good reports, regarded as deceivers and yet true, 9 as unknown, and yet well known, as dying and living, as chastened, but not killed, 10 as sorrowful, yet rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing all things. 11 We have spoken freely to you, O Corinthians. Our heart is opened wide. 12 We have not restrained you, yet you have restrained your own affections. 13 We have not done this for pay. I speak to you as children, open wide your heart to us. 14 Do not be unequally yoked to unbelievers, for what fellowship does righteousness have with unrighteousness? And what communion does light have with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and Belial? What part can the believer have with the infidel? 16 Or what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said, I will dwell in them and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Therefore, come out of their midst and be separate, says the LORD. And do not touch what is unclean, and I will welcome you. 18 "And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me, " says the LORD Almighty.

2 Corinthians 7 - RWB Paraphrase (16 V)
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1 Dearly beloved, because we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Receive us for we have neither wronged, corrupted or taken advantage of anyone. 3 I am not condemning you, for as I have said before, you are in our hearts and whatever happens to you, we feel as though it has happened to us. 4 I have great confidence in you and have boasted of you. And whenever I am suffering, it fills me with comfort and joy to think of you. 5 Even when we came to Macedonia our flesh had no rest, being afflicted on every side from conflicts without and fears within. 6 But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us with the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming, but also with the report he brought of your desire to see me. This made me even happier. 8 Though I caused you sadness, I do not regret it, for the sorrow is only for a season. 9 I now rejoice that you were sorrowful and brought to repentance. This was God's will for you lest you continue as you were. 10 Sorrow according to God's will produces repentance without regret, while the sorrow of the world results in death. 11 See how this godly sorrow has produced a vindication of its need. Your indignation and fear, your longing with zeal and the righting of the wrong, demonstrate that you are now innocent in this matter. 12 When I wrote to you it was not for the sake of the one who had done wrong. Neither was it for the sake of the one who was wronged, but that our care for you in God's sight might be clear. 13 And so, we are comforted and we rejoice, for Titus was made happy and refreshed by all of you. 14 For the boast I made of you to Titus has proved true. 15 His affection toward you has grown, as he remembers your obedience and how you received him with fear and trembling, 16 and I rejoice in my confidence in you.

2 Corinthians 8 - RWB Paraphrase (24 V)
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1 Now brethren, we want to make it clear that the grace of God has been given to the churches in Macedonia, 2 so that in spite of all their affliction, they have experienced abundant joy and in their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 3 For I have seen them willingly give beyond their ability, 4 urging us for the favor of participation in the support of the saints. 5 Though we did not expect it, they have given of themselves to the LORD, and to us by the will of God. 6 Titus began working with us and we are hoping that he will be able to continue. 7 Therefore, just as you abound in faith, utterance, knowledge, earnestness and in the love we first encouraged you with, see that you abound in gracious work as well. 8 I am not commanding this, but wishing to prove the sincerity of your love. 9 For you know of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He was rich, but for your sake became poor, so that through His poverty you might become rich. 10 It is my opinion that just as you began to do this a year ago, you will want to continue it. 11 So do that which you know you should do according to your ability. 12 For if you do this willingly, then it is acceptable. 13 I do not intend that you be burdened while others take their ease, 14 but that while you have an abundance you will supply their need, so that they may experience abundance, and also be able to supply your need, that there may be equality. 15 As it is written, "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little had no lack." 16 But thanks be to God who puts the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart of Titus. 17 For he accepted our appeal and of his own accord has gone to you. 18 We have sent a brother with him whose gospel fame has been known through all the churches. 19 And not only this, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us to help in the work we do for the glory of the LORD. And to show our readiness, 20 being careful that no one will find any fault in the way we use this generous gift. 21 For we have regard for what is right in God's sight as well as in the sight of men. 22 We have sent a brother with them who has proved diligent in many things and who will demonstrate this because of the confidence I have in you. 23 Titus is my partner and fellow worker and the other brethren are messengers of the churches and a glory to Christ. 24 So please show them the proof of your love just as we have told everyone about you.

2 Corinthians 9 - RWB Paraphrase (15 V)
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1 It does not seem necessary to write to you about this ministry to the saints, 2 for I have boasted of you to the Macedonians. Achaia has been ready since last year and your zeal has stirred many of them. 3 But I have sent brethren in order that our boasting of you will not be empty and you will be ready. 4 Otherwise if those of Macedonia come with me and find that you are not ready I will be put to shame. 5 So I thought it prudent to arrange ahead of time for the bountiful gift you previously promised, so that nothing prevents the fulfillment of your generosity. 6 I will say this, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and he who sows bountifully will reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make grace abound in you so that you always have everything you need, even an abundance for every good deed. 9 As it is written, he scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, his righteousness endured forever. 10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in everything, which through us produces thanksgiving to God. 12 For the supplying of the needs of the saints is not the only reason for this ministry, but also the many thanksgivings made to God for His providence. 13 Because of this ministry many will glorify God for your gift which is a confession of the gospel of Christ. 14 The surpassing grace of God causes them to pray for your welfare. 15 Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift to each of us!

2 Corinthians 10 - RWB Paraphrase (18 V)
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1 Now I, Paul, urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I who am meek when in your presence but bold toward you when absent from you! 2 I ask that when I see you I will not need to be bold toward some who think we have walked according to the flesh. 3 Even though we walk in the flesh, we do not walk according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons used in our warfare are not of the flesh, but of divine power for the destruction of the stronghold of sin. 5 We are destroying speculation and high mindedness that work against the knowledge of God, with our thoughts being brought into the obedience of Christ. 6 We are ready to punish all disobedience, once your obedience is complete. 7 You are looking at the outward appearance. If anyone trusts himself to belong to Christ, let him remember that we also belong to Christ. 8 Even if I were to boast of the authority given me by Christ for the purpose of building you up, it would be the truth. 9 But I do not wish to terrify you by my letters. 10 Some say my letters have a very strong message but my appearance and speech is unimpressive, even contemptible. 11 Let such a person consider that the letters we send while we are absent represent what we will say and do when we are present with you. 12 For we do not want to commend ourselves, such as those who measure themselves by themselves and are without understanding. 13 We will not boast beyond the measure God has apportioned to us, so that we can reach out to you. 14 For we are not reaching beyond what God has purposed for us as we bring the gospel of Christ to you. 15 We boast with the hope that your faith will grow and we will be blessed by what the gospel does for you. 16 This will result in the preaching of the gospel to regions beyond you and any boasting will be of what is accomplished there. 17 He who boasts is to boast in the LORD. 18 For one must not commend himself, but be approved by God.

2 Corinthians 11 - RWB Paraphrase (33 V)
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1 Please bear with me in a little foolishness. 2 I have a godly jealousy for you, for I have betrothed you to one husband, Jesus Christ. I want to present you as a pure virgin to Him. 3 But I fear that somehow the serpent will beguile you, as he did Eve, and corrupt your minds from the simple gospel message that is in Christ. 4 For if someone comes preaching of a Jesus different from whom we have preached, or you in some way receive a different spirit or gospel, bear with him but do not follow what he says. 5 I do not think of myself as in any way inferior to any of the apostles. 6 Though I am unskilled in speech and lack knowledge, I have made the complete gospel evident to you. 7 Have I committed a sin by humbling myself in order to be exalted, because I preach without pay from you? 8 In fact, I took from other churches in order to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and in need, I burdened none of you. When the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied what I lacked because I would not burden you. It is my intention to continue doing this. 10 I speak the truth of Christ in this boast of mine and I will not stop boasting in the region of Achaia. 11 Is this because I do not love you? God knows that I do! 12 I will continue to do this so that no one will have an opportunity to take advantage of you or claim that I have. 13 Such men are false apostles and deceitful workers, making themselves appear to be apostles of Christ. 14 Do not marvel at this. Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it should not be surprising if his servants make themselves appear to be servants of righteousness. But their end will be according to their deeds. 16 I hope you will not think of me as foolish, but if you must, let me boast just a little. 17 What I am saying is not from the LORD, but from my own perspective. 18 There are many who boast from a fleshly point of view. I will do that now, 19 and I know that you will tolerate what I say next. 20 For you suffer when someone enslaves you and takes advantage of you, exalting himself and hitting you in the face. 21 I have never taken advantage of you but I have been very bold in making things plain. 22 Do people say it is important to be a Hebrew? I am one. Are they Israelites? I am too. Have they descended from Abraham? So have I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? So am I, perhaps even more so. I have labored more, been in prison more, beaten more times than I can count and often in danger of death. 24 Five times I have received thirty nine lashes from the Jews. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods and once stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked and for a night and a day I was in the deep. 26 On many of my journeys I have been in danger from rivers, robbers, my countrymen and the Gentiles. I have been in distress in cities and the wilderness. I have seen trouble on the sea and among false brethren. 27 I have labored in hardship through many sleepless nights. I have experienced hunger and thirst as well as cold and exposure. 28 In addition, there has been the daily pressure of my concern for the churches. 29 When one is weak, it makes me weak. When one is led into sin, my concern is intense. 30 If I have anything in which to boast it is of my weakness. 31 God knows I am not lying. 32 In Damascus king Aretas tried to seize me by guarding the gates of the city. 33 I made my escape by being let down in a basket from a window in the wall.

2 Corinthians 12 - RWB Paraphrase (21 V)
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1 Is boasting of these things of any value? Let me go on to visions and revelations of the LORD. 2 Fourteen years ago, I'm not sure exactly how, I was caught up to the third heaven. 3 I do not know whether I was in the body or the spirit. 4 I saw paradise and heard words I have no way of expressing. 5 Though I am weak, I was permitted this revelation. 6 It would be foolish for me to boast of this for it was not of my own doing. 7 And to keep me from thinking to highly of myself I have been given a thorn in the flesh through which Satan torments me and this keeps me from exalting myself. 8 Three times I implored the LORD to remove this thorn. 9 His answer to me was that His grace was sufficient for me and His power is perfected in my weakness. I would rather boast about my weakness which demonstrates the power of Christ in me. 10 This means that I am content to retain this weakness, and to have insults, distresses, persecutions and difficulties for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 11 Because of you I am compelled to be foolish. You should have commended me for I am in no way inferior to any of the apostles, even though I am nobody. 12 The signs of a true apostle have been performed among you with patience, using signs, wonders and miracles. 13 In what way were you ever treated as inferior to other churches? Perhaps I should ask forgiveness for not being a burden to you. 14 And now this third time I am ready to come again to you, but I will not be a burden this time either. I do not want what is yours. After all, children do not save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 I will most willingly expend anything for your souls. If I love you so much, should you love me less? 16 Be that as it may, though I have not burdened you, I did catch you by guile. 17 Have I taken advantage of you through anyone I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus to come to you with a brother, but he did not take any advantage of you either. This has always been our policy. 19 And we are not defending ourselves to you. Rather, it has been in the sight of God that we speak of Christ. Our goal has been to build you up, because we love you. 20 I am concerned that when I do come to you we will both be disappointed by your strife and jealousy, your angry tempers, disputes, slander, gossip, arrogance and general disturbances. 21 If this happens I will be humiliated and mourn over the many who have sinned and not repented of their impurity, immorality and sensuality.

2 Corinthians 13 - RWB Paraphrase (14 V)
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1 This is the third time I am coming to you. I would again stress that every fact must be confirmed by two or three witnesses. 2 As I said the last time I was with you, the next time I come I will spare no one, 3 since you are looking for proof of the Christ who speaks through me, who is not weak but mighty in you. 4 For He made Himself weak to be crucified, yet He now lives because of the power of God. And we too are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him by the power of God that is also directed toward us. 5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith. Don't you understand that if Jesus Christ were not in you, you would be reprobates? 6 But I trust that you understand that we are not like this. 7 We are praying that you will do no wrong. This is not to make us look better, but so that you will do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for it. 9 We rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We are praying for you to be complete. 10 That is why I write these things before I get there. This way there will be no need for censure when I arrive. It is my duty in the LORD to build up and not to tear down.

11 Finally brethren, be perfect, be comforted and of one mind, living in peace. The God of love and peace shall be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints greet you. 14 The grace of the LORD Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

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