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.* 6:2 Is 49:8,* 6:2 Is 49:8

See, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation!  * 6:2 Is 49:8; 55:6; Lk 4:19; Heb 3:13

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,  * 6:5 Jdg 16:21 by riots, by labors, by sleepless nights, by times of hunger, 6 by purity,  * 6:6 2Co 11:3 by knowledge,  * 6:6 Php 3:8; 1Jn 4:8 by patience,  * 6:6 Ex 34:6; 2Tm 3:10 by kindness,  * 6:6 Rm 2:4; 3:12; 11:22; Gl 5:22; Eph 2:7; Col 3:12; Ti 3:4 by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,  * 6:6 1Co 13:17 by the word of truth,  * 6:7 Or by truthful speech,* 6:7 2Th 2:10 by the power of God;  * 6:7 Mk 5:30; Lk 1:35; 6:19; Ac 19:11; 2Co 13:4; Rv 11:17 through weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, 8 through glory  * 6:8 1Pt 5:4 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;  * 6:10 Mt 5:4; Jn 16:22; 2Co 7:4; Php 1:4,25; 2:17–18; 3:1; 4:1,4; Col 1:24; 1Th 1:6; 1Pt 1:6–8 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?  * 6:14 Mt 13:41 Or what fellowship does light  * 6:14 Jn 12:46 have with darkness?  * 6:14 Mt 6:2315 What agreement does Christ have with Belial?  * 6:15 Or Beliar Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement does the temple of God have with idols?  * 6:16 Gn 31:19; 1Co 8:4 For we  * 6:16 Other mss read you are the temple of the living God, as God said:

I will dwell* 6:16 Jms 4:5

and walk among them,

and I will be their God,* 6:16 Heb 3:6

and they will be my people.* 6:16 Lv 26:12; Jr 31:33; 32:38; Ezk 37:26,* 6:16 Lv 26:12

17 Therefore, come out from among them

and be separate, says the Lord;

do not touch any unclean thing,

and I will welcome you.* 6:17 Is 52:11,* 6:17 Is 52:11

18 And I will be a Father* 6:18 Mt 5:16; 11:27; Lk 11:13; Jn 8:42; Eph 5:20 to you,

and you will be sons* 6:18 Mt 5:9 and daughters to me,

says the Lord Almighty.* 6:18 2Sm 7:14; Is 43:6; 49:22; 60:4; Hs 1:10,* 6:18 2Sm 7:14; Rv 1:8