1 ¶ We then, as workers together with him, exhort you also that ye have not received the grace of God in vain.

2 ( For he saith, I have heard thee in an acceptable time, and in the day of saving health I have succoured thee; behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of saving health.)

3 G iving no offense in anything, that the ministry not be blamed,

4 B ut in all things showing ourselves as the ministers of God in much patience, in tribulations, in necessities, in distresses,

5 i n stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings,

6 i n chastity, in knowledge, in meekness, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in unfeigned charity,

7 i n the word of truth, in the power of God through the weapons of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

8 t hrough honour and dishonour, through evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet as men of the truth;

9 a s unknown, and yet well known; as dying, but, behold, we live; as chastened, but not killed;

10 a s sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

11 ¶ O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.

12 Y e are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.

13 N ow for a recompense in the same (I speak as unto my children), be ye also enlarged.

14 B e ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers, for what fellowship does righteousness have with unrighteousness? and what communion does light have with darkness?

15 A nd what concord does Christ have with Belial? or what part do the faithful have with the unfaithful?

16 A nd what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? for ye 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 T herefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and do not touch the unclean thing; and I will receive you

18 a nd will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.