^1. AND working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain --

^2. for He says, « AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.» Behold, now is «THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,» behold, now is «THE DAY OF SALVATION» --

^3. giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited,

^4. but in everything commending ourselves as [1] servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,

^5. in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger,

^6. in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,

^7. in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,

^8. by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true;

^9. as unknown [5] yet well-known, as dying [4] yet behold, we live; as [3] punished [2] yet not put to death,

^10. as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing [6] yet possessing all things.

^11. Our mouth [7] has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide.

^12. You are not restrained [9] by us, but you are restrained in your own [8] affections.

^13. Now in a like exchange -- I speak as to children -- open wide to us also.

^14. Do not be [10] bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?

^15. Or what harmony has Christ with [12] Belial, or [11] what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?

^16. Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, « I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.

^17. « Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,» says the Lord. «AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.

^18. « And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,» Says the Lord Almighty.