1 W e then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

2 F or He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

3 W e give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.

4 B ut in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,

5 i n stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings;

6 b y purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,

7 b y the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

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

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

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

11 O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open.

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

13 N ow in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.

14 D o not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

15 A nd what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?

16 A nd what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.”

17 T herefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.”

18 “ I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the L ord Almighty.”