8 We are honoured and disgraced; we are insulted and praised. We are treated as liars, yet we speak the truth;
9 as unknown, yet we are known by all; as though we were dead, but, as you see, we live on. Although punished, we are not killed;
10 although saddened, we are always glad; we seem poor, but we make many people rich; we seem to have nothing, yet we really possess everything.
11 Dear friends in Corinth! We have spoken frankly to you; we have opened our hearts wide.
12 It is not we who have closed our hearts to you; it is you who have closed your hearts to us.
13 I speak now as though you were my children: show us the same feelings that we have for you. Open your hearts wide!
14 Do not try to work together as equals with unbelievers, for it cannot be done. How can right and wrong be partners? How can light and darkness live together?