The Experience of the Ministry.1* Working together,a then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.*2For he says:
“In an acceptable time* I heard you,
and on the day of salvation I helped you.”b
Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.3c We cause no one to stumble* in anything, in order that no fault may be found with our ministry;4* on the contrary, in everything we commend ourselves as ministers of God, through much endurance,* in afflictions, hardships, constraints,d5beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, vigils, fasts;e6* by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, in a holy spirit, in unfeigned love,f7in truthful speech, in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness at the right and at the left;g8through glory and dishonor, insult and praise. We are treated as deceivers and yet are truthful;*9as unrecognized and yet acknowledged; as dying and behold we live; as chastised and yet not put to death;h10as sorrowful yet always rejoicing; as poor yet enriching many; as having nothing and yet possessing all things.i
11* We have spoken frankly to you, Corinthians; our heart is open wide.12You are not constrained by us; you are constrained by your own affections.j13As recompense in kind (I speak as to my children), be open yourselves.k
Call to Holiness.14* Do not be yoked with those who are different, with unbelievers.* For what partnership do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?15What accord has Christ with Beliar? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?16l What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said:
“I will live with them and move among them,*
and I will be their God
and they shall be my people.
17Therefore, come forth from them
and be separate,” says the Lord,
“and touch nothing unclean;
then I will receive youm
18and I will be a father to you,
and you shall be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty.”n
