¹ We then, as workers together with him, beg you also that you receive not the grace of God in vain. ² (For he said, I have heard you in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured you: see, now is the accepted time; see, now is the day of salvation .) ³ Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: ⁴ But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, ⁵ In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; ⁶ By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, ⁷ By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, ⁸ By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; ⁹ As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, see, we live; as chastened, and not killed; ¹⁰ As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. ¹¹ O you Corinthians, our mouth is open to you, our heart is enlarged. ¹² You are not distressed by us, but you are distressed by your own bowels. ¹³ Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as to my children,) be you also enlarged. ¹⁴ Be you not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness? ¹⁵ And what concord has Christ with Belial? or what part has he that believes with an infidel? ¹⁶ And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? for you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people. ¹⁷ why come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, ¹⁸ And will be+ a Father to you, and you will be my sons+ and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.