1 L aboring together with Him then, we beg of you not to receive the grace of God in vain '> merciful kindness by which God exerts His holy influence on souls and turns them to Christ, keeping and strengthening them—do not receive it to no purpose].

2 F or He says, In the time of favor (of an assured welcome) I have listened to and heeded your call, and I have helped you on the day of deliverance (the day of salvation). Behold, now is truly the time for a gracious welcome and acceptance; behold, now is the day of salvation!

3 W e put no obstruction in anybody’s way, so that no fault may be found and ministry blamed and discredited.

4 B ut we commend ourselves in every way as servants of God: through great endurance, in tribulation and suffering, in hardships and privations, in sore straits and calamities,

5 I n beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless watching, hunger;

6 B y innocence and purity, knowledge and spiritual insight, longsuffering and patience, kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in unfeigned love;

7 B y the word of truth, in the power of God, with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left hand;

8 A mid honor and dishonor; in defaming and evil report and in praise and good report. as deceivers (impostors), and truthful and honest.

9 a s unknown and ignored, and well-known and recognized; as dying, and yet here we are alive; as chastened by suffering and not killed;

10 A s grieved and mourning, yet always rejoicing; as poor bestowing riches on many; as having nothing, and possessing all things.

11 O ur mouth is open to you, Corinthians, and our heart is expanded wide!

12 T here is no lack of room for you in, but you lack room in your own affections.

13 B y way of return then, do this for me—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also.

14 D o not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership have right living and right standing with God with iniquity and lawlessness? Or how can light have fellowship with darkness?

15 W hat harmony can there be between Christ and Belial ? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?

16 W hat agreement a temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in and with and among them and will walk in and with and among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

17 S o, come out from among, and separate (sever) yourselves from them, says the Lord, and touch not unclean thing; then I will receive you kindly and treat you with favor,

18 A nd I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.