1As God's fellow workers, we urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

2For he says,
“At a favorable time I listened to yoʋ,
and in a day of salvation I helped yoʋ.”
Behold, now is the favorable time; now is the day of salvation.

3We are putting no obstacle in anyone's way, so that our ministry may not be discredited.

4Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,

5in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in sleepless nights, in hunger,

6in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,

7in the word of truth, in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,

8through glory and dishonor, through bad report and good report; regarded as deceivers, and yet true;

9as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not put to death;

10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

11O Corinthians, we have spoken freely to you; our hearts have been opened wide.

12You are not restricted by us, but by your own affections.

13Now in return—I am speaking as I would to my own children—open your hearts to us.

Do Not Be Unequally Yoked

14Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? What fellowship does light have with darkness?

15What harmony does Christ have with Belial? What portion does a believer have with an unbeliever?

16And what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For ³⁴you are the temple of the living God, just as God said,
“I will dwell in them and walk among them.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.

17Therefore, come out from among them
and be separate, says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.

18I will be a father to you,
and you will be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty.”