1 1Working together with him, then, 2we appeal to you 3not to receive the grace of God in vain.
2 For he says, 4"In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you."Behold, 5now is the 6favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
3 We 7put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry,
4 but 8as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: 9by great endurance, 10in afflictions, 11hardships, calamities,
5 12beatings, imprisonments, 13riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger;
6 14by purity, 15knowledge, patience, kindness, 16the Holy Spirit, 17genuine love;
7 by 18truthful speech, and 19the power of God; with 20the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;
8 through honor and dishonor, 21through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true;
9 as unknown, and 22yet well known; 23as dying, and behold, we live; 24as punished, and yet not killed;
10 25as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; 26as poor, yet making many rich; 27as having nothing, 28yet possessing everything.
11 We have spoken freely to you,a Corinthians; 29our heart is wide open.
12 You are not restricted by us, but 30you are restricted in your own affections.
13 31In return (I speak 32as to children) widen your hearts also.

The Temple of the Living God

14 33Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For 34what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or 35what fellowship has light with darkness?
15 36What accord has Christ with Belial?b Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?
16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For 37we are the temple of the living God; as God said, 38"I will make my dwelling among them and 39walk among them, and 40I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Therefore 41go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
18 42and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."