¹As workers together with God, we ask you not to receive the grace of God in vain.[#1Co 3:9; #Gal 2:2; 4:11; Heb 12:15]

²For He says:

“In an acceptable time I have listened to you,

and in the day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

³We give no offense in anything, that our service may not be blamed.[#Ro 14:13; #1Co 9:12]

⁴But in all things we commend ourselves as servants of God: in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distress,[#1Co 3:5; 2Co 3:6]

⁵in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, and in hunger;[#Ac 17:5; 2Co 11:23–25]

⁶by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by genuine love,[#Ro 12:9]

⁷by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,[#2Co 4:2; Eph 1:13]

⁸by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;[#Mt 27:63; Ro 3:8]

⁹as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, but not killed;[#Ro 8:36; 1Co 4:9]

¹⁰as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; and as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.[#Jn 16:22; #2Co 8:9]

¹¹O Corinthians, we have spoken frankly to you; our heart is opened wide.[#Ps 119:32; 2Co 12:15]

¹²You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections.

¹³In return (I speak as to my children) you also be open.

The Temple of the Living God

¹⁴Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? What communion has light with darkness?[#1Co 5:9]

¹⁵What agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what part has he who believes with an unbeliever?

¹⁶What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will live in them

and walk in them.

I will be their God,

and they shall be My people.”

¹⁷Therefore,

“Come out from among them

and be separate,

Do not touch what is unclean,

and I will receive you.”

¹⁸“I will be a Father to you,

and you shall be My sons and daughters,