[1] We then, as workers together with Him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. [2] (For He saith, "I have heard thee at an accepted time, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee." Behold, now is the accepted time! Behold, now is the day of salvation!) [3] Give no offense in anything, that the ministry be not blamed; [4] but in all things commending ourselves as the ministers of God in much patience: in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, [5] in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; [6] by pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, [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] through honor and dishonor, through evil report and good report; though counted as deceivers and yet true, [9] as unknown and yet well known, as dying and yet behold we live, as chastened and not killed, [10] as sorrowful yet always rejoicing; as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing all things. [11] O ye Corinthians, our mouth is opened unto you, and our heart is enlarged. [12] Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own affections. [13] Now as a recompense for this (I speak as unto my children), be ye also enlarged. [14] Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers, for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? [15] And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? [16] And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God. As God hath said: "I will dwell in them and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." [17] Therefore, "Come out from among them, and be ye separate," saith the Lord. "And touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, [18] and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters," saith the Lord Almighty.
