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 *6:4 Or ministersservants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in difficulties, 5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in *6:5 Lit tumultsmob 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 *6:9 Or disciplinedpunished 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 *6:11 Lit is open to youhas spoken freely to you, you Corinthians, our heart is opened wide. 12 You are not restrained *6:12 Or in usby us, but you are restrained in your own *6:12 Lit inward partsaffections. 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 *6:14 Lit unevenly yokedmismatched 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 *6:15 Gr Beliar; a name of the devil and the antichristBelial, or *6:15 Lit what part has a believer with an unbelieverwhat does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement does *6:16 Or a templethe temple of God have with idols? For we are *6:16 Or a templethe 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.