1 Since, then, we are working with God, we plead with you not to accept God's grace in vain.

2 For he says, "At the right time I heard you, and on a day of salvation I helped you."Listen, now is really the "right time"! Now is the "day of salvation"!

3 We do not put an obstacle in anyone's way. Otherwise, fault may be found with our ministry.

4 Instead, in every way we demonstrate that we are God's servants by tremendous endurance in the midst of difficulties, hardships, and calamities;

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

6 with purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; with the Holy Spirit, genuine love,

7 truthful speech, and divine power; through the weapons of righteousness in the right and left hands;

8 through honor and dishonor; through ill repute and good repute; perceived as deceivers and yet true,

9 as unknown and yet well-known, as dying and yet—as you see—very much alive, as punished and yet not killed,

10 as sorrowful and yet always rejoicing, as poor and yet enriching many, as having nothing and yet possessing everything.

11 We have spoken frankly to you, Corinthians. Our hearts are wide open.

12 We have not cut you off, but you have cut off your own feelings toward us.

13 Do us a favor—I ask you as my children—and open wide your hearts.

14 Stop becoming unevenly yoked with unbelievers. What partnership can righteousness have with lawlessness? What fellowship can light have with darkness?

15 What harmony exists between Christ and Beliar, or what do a believer and an unbeliever have in common?

16 What agreement can a temple of God make with idols? For we are the temple of the living God, just as God said: "I will live and walk among them.I will be their God,and they will be my people."

17 Therefore, "Get away from themand separate yourselves from them,"declares the Lord, "and don't touch anything unclean.Then I will welcome you.

18 I will be your Father,and you will be my sons and daughters,"declares the Lord Almighty.