1 Working together with him, then, we urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
2 For he says, »At the acceptable time I have listened to you,and helped you on the day of salvation.« Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
3 We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.
4 But as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, distresses,
5 in beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, sleeplessness, hunger,
6 in purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,
7 in truthful speech, and in the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;
8 through glory and dishonor, evil report and good report; true, yet regarded as impostors;
9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as punished, and yet not killed;
10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
11 Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians. Our heart is opened wide.
12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections.
13 Now in a fair exchangeI speak as to my childrenopen wide your hearts also.
14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
15 What harmony has Christ with Belial? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?
16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, »I will live in them and walk among them,and I will be their God,and they shall be my people.
17 Therefore come out from themand be separate, says the Lord.Touch no unclean thing,and I will receive you.
18 And I will be a father to you,and you shall be my sons and daughters,says the Lord Almighty.«