[1] And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain— [2] for He says, “At a favorable time I listened to you, And on a day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is “a favorable time,” behold, now is “a day of salvation”— [3] giving no reason for taking offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, [4] but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in difficulties, [5] in beatings, in imprisonments, in mob attacks, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, [6] in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, [7] in the word of truth, and 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 are alive; as punished and yet not put to death, [10] as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing all things. [11] Our mouth has spoken freely to you, you Corinthians, our heart is opened wide. [12] You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections. [13] Now in the same way in exchange—I am speaking as to children—open wide your hearts to us, you as well. [14] Do not be mismatched with unbelievers; for what do righteousness and lawlessness share together, or what does light have in common with darkness? [15] Or what harmony does Christ have with Belial, or what does a believer share with an unbeliever? [16] Or what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell among 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.
