1. As workers together with God, we ask you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
2. For He says: “In an acceptable time I have listened to you,and in the day of salvation I have helped you.”Look, now is the accepted time; look, now is the day of salvation.
3. We give no offense in anything, that our service may not be blamed.
4. But in all things we commend ourselves as servants of God: in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distress,
5. in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, and in hunger;
6. by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by genuine love,
7. by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8. by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;
9. as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and look, we live; as punished, but not killed;
10. as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; and as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
11. O Corinthians, we have spoken frankly to you; our heart is opened wide.
12. You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections.
13. In return (I speak as to my children) you also be open.
14. Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? What communion has light with darkness?
15. What agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what part has he who believes with an unbeliever?
16. What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live in themand walk in them.I will be their God,and they shall be My people.”
17. Therefore, “Come out from among themand 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 Lord Almighty.”