1 W orking together, we entreat also that you not receive the grace of God in vain,

2 f or 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.

3 W e give no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our service may not be blamed,

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

5 i n beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;

6 i n pureness, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love,

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

8 b y glory 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 punished, and 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 ur mouth is open to you, Corinthians. Our heart is enlarged.

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

13 N ow in return, I speak as to my children, you also be open wide.

14 D on’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

15 W hat agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what portion has a believer with an unbeliever?

16 W hat 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.”

17 T herefore “‘Come out from among them, and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you.

18 I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.”