1 Working together with him we plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain to no purposein emptiness.

2 For he said: At an acceptable time I listened to you. In a day of salvation I helped you. Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation!

3 Give no occasion for stumbling offence in anything that our ministry may not be blamed discredited.

4 In everything we commend ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watching, in fasting;

6 in pureness, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,

7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;

9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

10 Also as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

11 O Corinthians, we have spoken openly to you, our figurative heart is wide open enlarged.

12 We do not restrict you, but you are restricted by your own affections.

13 Now in return for the same in like kind I speak as to my children, you also be open open your hearts wide!

14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship does righteousness have with lawlessness? Or what communion does light have with darkness?

15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

16 And what agreement does a temple of God have with idols? We are the temple of the living God. God said: I will dwell in them, and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people. (Leviticus 26:12) (Zechariah 8:8)

17 Therefore come out from among them and be separate set offsevered from themexcluded from them, said Jehovah. Do not touch the unclean thing and I will receive you. (Isaiah 52:11) (Jeremiah 51:45)

18 I will be a Father to you, and you will be to me sons and daughters, said Jehovah God the Almighty. (Hosea 1:10)