1 Working together, we entreat also that you do not receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,

"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 We give no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our service may not be blamed, 4 but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God: in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, 5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings, 6 in pureness, in knowledge, in perseverance, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere 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 glory 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 punished and not killed, 10 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing all things.

11 Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians. Our heart is enlarged. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. 13 Now in return—I speak as to my children—you also open your hearts.

14 Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? 15 What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what portion does a believer have with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement does a temple of God have with idols? For you are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, "I will dwell in them and walk in them. I will be their God and they will be my people." 17 Therefore

"‘Come out from among them,

and be separate,’ says the Lord.

‘Touch no unclean thing.

I will receive you.

18 I will be to you a Father.

You will be to me sons and daughters,’

says the Lord Almighty."

1 But {as} fellow-workmen, we also beseech that ye receive not the grace of God in vain:2 (for he says, I have listened to thee in an accepted time, and I have helped thee in a day of salvation: behold, now {is the} well-accepted time; behold, now {the} day of salvation:)3 giving no manner of offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed;4 but in everything commending ourselves as God's ministers, in much endurance, in afflictions, in necessities, in straits,5 in stripes, in prisons, in riots, in labours, in watchings, in fastings,6 in pureness, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in kindness, in {the} Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned,7 in {the} word of truth, in {the} power of God; through the arms of righteousness on the right hand and left,8 through glory and dishonour, through evil report and good report: as deceivers, and true;9 as unknown, and well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as disciplined, and not put to death;10 as grieved, but always rejoicing; as poor, but enriching many; as having nothing, and possessing all things.11 Our mouth is opened to you, Corinthians, our heart is expanded.12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your affections;13 but for an answering recompense, (I speak as to children,) let *your* heart also expand itself.14 Be not diversely yoked with unbelievers; for what participation {is there} between righteousness and lawlessness? or what fellowship of light with darkness?15 and what consent of Christ with Beliar, or what part for a believer along with an unbeliever?16 and what agreement of God's temple with idols? for *ye* are {the} living God's temple; according as God has said, I will dwell among them, and walk among {them}; and I will be their God, and they shall be to me a people.17 Wherefore come out from the midst of them, and be separated, saith {the} Lord, and touch not {what is} unclean, and *I* will receive you;18 and I will be to you for a Father, and ye shall be to me for sons and daughters, saith {the} Lord Almighty.