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 Messiah 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 We, then, as fellow-laborers, also beseech you not to receive the favor of God in vain;2 «(for he says,» 'In an accepted season I have hearkened to you; and in a day of salvation I have helped you.' 'Behold, now is a highly accepted season; behold, now is a day of salvation:)'3 giving no cause of offense in anything, that the ministry be not blamed.4 But by everything approving ourselves as ministers of God, by much patience, by oppressions, by necessities, by distresses,5 by stripes, by imprisonments, by tumults, by labors, by watchings, by fastings;6 by purity, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by goodness, by a holy spirit, by love unfeigned;7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, through the armor of righteousness of the right hand and of the left;8 through honor and dishonor, through bad fame and good fame; as deceivers, yet true;9 as unknown, yet well known; as dying, yet, behold, we live; as chastened, yet not killed;10 as sorrowing, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing all things.11 Corinthians! our mouth is open to you, our heart is enlarged.12 You are not straitened in us, but you are straitened in your own bowels.13 Now, in return, (I speak as to children,) be you also enlarged.14 Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers; for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness?15 what concord has Christ with Belial? or what portion has a believer with an unbeliever?16 «And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? for you are the temple of the living God; as God has said,» 'Assuredly 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 among them, and be separated, says the Lord, and touch no unclean person; and I will receive you;18 «and I be to you a Father, and you shall be to me sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.»