1We then, as workers
together with
him, beseech you also
that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time
accepted, and in the day of salvation have I
succoured thee: behold, now is the
accepted time; behold, now is the
day of salvation.)
3Giving no offence in any thing, that the
ministry be not blamed:
4But in all things approving
ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience,
in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in
labours, in watchings, in fastings;
6By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering,
by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
7By the word of truth, by the power of God,
by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and
on the left,
8By honour and dishonour, by evil report and
good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
9As unknown, and yet well
known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened,
and not killed;
10As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor,
yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing
all things.
11O ye Corinthians,
our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
12Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are
straitened in your own bowels.
13Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak
as unto my children,)
be ye also enlarged.
14Be ye not unequally yoked together with
unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness
with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light
with darkness?
15And what concord hath Christ with Belial?
or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16And what agreement hath the temple of God
with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God;
as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them;
and I will be their God, and they shall be my
people.
17Wherefore come out from among them, and be
ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the
unclean thing;
and I will receive you,
18And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall
be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.