Workers with God

1Since, then, we are working with God,a we plead with you not to accept God’s grace in vain. 2For he says,

“At the right time I heard you,

and on a day of salvation I helped you.”b

Listen, now is really the “right time”! Now is the “day of salvation”!

We are God’s Servants

3We do not put an obstacle in anyone’s way. Otherwise, fault may be found with our ministry. 4Instead, in every way we demonstrate that we are God’s servants by tremendous endurance in the midst of difficulties, hardships, and calamities; 5in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights, and hunger; 6with purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; with the Holy Spirit, genuine love, 7truthful speech, and divine power; through the weapons of righteousness in the right and left hands; 8through honor and dishonor; through ill repute and good repute; perceivedc as deceivers and yet true, 9as unknown and yet well-known, as dying and yet—as you see—very much alive, as punished and yet not killed, 10as sorrowful and yet always rejoicing, as poor and yet enriching many, as having nothing and yet possessing everything.

11We have spoken franklyd to you, Corinthians. Our hearts are wide open. 12We have not cut you off, but you have cut off your own feelings toward us. 13Do us a favor—I ask you as my children—and open wide your hearts.

Relating with Unbelievers

14Stop becominge unevenly yoked with unbelievers. What partnership can righteousness have with lawlessness? What fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony exists between the Messiahf and Beliar,g or what do a believer and an unbeliever have in common? 16What agreement can a temple of God make with idols? For weh are the temple of the living God, just as God said:

“I will live and walk among them.

I will be their God,

and they will be my people.”i

17Therefore,

“Get away from them

and separate yourselves from them,”

declares the Lord,j

“and don’t touch anything unclean.

Then I will welcome you.

18I will be your Father,

and you will be my sons and daughters,”

declares the Lordk Almighty.l