[1] And working together with Him, we also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain— [2] for 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] giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, [4] but in everything commending ourselves as ministers of God, in much perseverance, in afflictions, in distresses, in hardships, [5] in beatings, in imprisonments, in disturbances, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, [6] in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in unhypocritical love, [7] in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, [8] by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; [9] as unknown and yet well-known, as dying and yet behold, we live; as punished and yet not put to death, [10] as sorrowful but always rejoicing, as poor but making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing all things. [11] Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide. [12] You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections. [13] Now in a like exchange—I speak as to children—open wide to us also. [14] Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? [15] Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? [16] Or what agreement has a sanctuary of God with idols? For we are a sanctuary 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.
