- 1Working together, we entreat also that you not receive the grace of God in vain,
- 2for he says, “At an acceptable time I listened to you, in a day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.
- 3We give no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our service may not be blamed,
- 4but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
- 5in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;
- 6in pureness, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love,
- 7in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
- 8by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;
- 9as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and not killed;
- 10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
- 11Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians. Our heart is enlarged.
- 12You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.
- 13Now in return, I speak as to my children, you also be open wide.
- 14Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
- 15What agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what portion has a believer with an unbeliever?
- 16What agreement has a temple of God with idols? For you are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
- 17Therefore “‘Come out from among them, and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you.
- 18I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.”