1 Working together with him, we also appeal to you, "Don’t receive the grace of God in vain." 2 For he says:

At an acceptable time I listened to you,

and in the day of salvation I helped you.*,*

See, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation!  *

3 We are not giving anyone an occasion for offense, so that the ministry will not be blamed. 4 Instead, as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves in everything: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardships, by difficulties, 5 by beatings, by imprisonments,  * by riots, by labors, by sleepless nights, by times of hunger, 6 by purity,  * by knowledge,  * by patience,  * by kindness,  * by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,  *7 by the word of truth,  *,* by the power of God;  * through weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, 8 through glory  * and dishonor, through slander and good report; regarded as deceivers, yet true; 9 as unknown, yet recognized; as dying, yet see — we live; as being disciplined, yet not killed; 10 as grieving, yet always rejoicing;  * as poor, yet enriching many; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. 11 We have spoken openly to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide. 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 I speak as to my children; as a proper response, open your heart to us.

14 Do not be yoked together with those who do not believe. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness?  * Or what fellowship does light  * have with darkness?  *15 What agreement does Christ have with Belial?  * Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement does the temple of God have with idols?  * For we  * are the temple of the living God, as God said:

I will dwell*

and walk among them,

and I will be their God,*

and they will be my people.*,*

17 Therefore, come out from among them

and be separate, says the Lord;

do not touch any unclean thing,

and I will welcome you.*,*

18 And I will be a Father* to you,

and you will be sons* and daughters to me,

says the Lord Almighty.*,*