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. X,m
See, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation! n
The Character of Paul’s Ministry
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, o by riots, by labors, by sleepless nights, by times of hunger, 6 by purity, p by knowledge, q by patience, r by kindness, s by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, t 7 by the word of truth, Y,u by the power of God; v through weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, 8 through glory w 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; x 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.
Separation to God
14 Don’t become partners with those who do not believe. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? y Or what fellowship does light z have with darkness? a 15 What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Z Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? b For we A are the temple of the living God, as God said:
I will dwell c
and walk among them,
and I will be their God, d
and they will be my people. B,e
17 Therefore, come out from among them
and be separate, says the Lord;
do not touch any unclean thing,
18 And I will be a Father g to you,
and you will be sons h and daughters to me,