1 A nd working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain—

2 f or He says, “ At the acceptable time I listened to you, And on the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is “ the acceptable time,” behold, now is “ the day of salvation ”—

3 g iving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited,

4 b ut in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,

5 i n beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger,

6 i n purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,

7 i n the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,

8 b y glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true;

9 a s unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death,

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

11 O ur mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide.

12 Y ou are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections.

13 N ow in a like exchange—I speak as to children—open wide to us also.

14 D o not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?

15 O r what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?

16 O r what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “ I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

17 “ Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “ And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you.

18 “ And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.