Commendable Ministers of God

1And working together with Him, we also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain— 2for He says,

“AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU,

AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.” Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION”— 3giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, 4but in everything commending ourselves as ministers of God, in much perseverance, in afflictions, in distresses, in hardships, 5in beatings, in imprisonments, in disturbances, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, 6in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in unhypocritical love, 7in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, 8by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; 9as unknown and yet well-known, as dying and yet behold, we live; as [†]punished and yet not put to death, 10as sorrowful but always rejoicing, as poor but making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing all things.

11Our mouth [†]has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide. 12You are not restrained [†]by us, but you are restrained in your own [†]affections. 13Now in a like exchange—I speak as to children—open wide to us also.

14Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15Or what harmony has Christ with [†]Belial, or [†]what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16Or what agreement has a [†]sanctuary of God with idols? For we are a sanctuary 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.

17Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the [†]Lord.

“AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN,

And I will welcome you.

18AND I WILL BE A FATHER TO YOU,

And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,”

SAYS THE [†]LORD ALMIGHTY.