1 Since we are co-laboring, we also urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.
2 For He says, “At a favorable time I listened to you, in a day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.
3 We give no cause for offense in anything, so that our ministry may not be blamed.
4 But as God’s servants, we are commending ourselves in every way—in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in troubles, in sleeplessness, in hunger;
6 in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Ruach ha-Kodesh, in genuine love,
7 in truthful speech, in the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;
8 through honor and dishonor, through evil report and good report. We are regarded as deceivers and yet true;
9 as unknown and yet well-known; as dying, yet behold, we live; as disciplined yet not put to death;
10 as grieving yet always rejoicing; as poor yet enriching many; as having nothing yet possessing everything.
11 We have spoken openly to you, O Corinthians; our heart is open wide!
12 You are not restricted by us, yet you are restricted in your own feelings.
13 Now in return—I speak as to my children—open wide to us also.
14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?
15 What harmony does Messiah have with Belial? Or what part does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
16 What agreement does God’s Temple have 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 among them, and be separate, says Adonai. Touch no unclean thing. Then I will take you in.
18 I will be a father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says Adonai-Tzva’ot.”