2 Corinthians 6:4-18 ▼

4 but in all things I approve myself as the minister of God, by great constancy in afflictions, in torments, in distresses, from stripes,

5 from imprisonments, from tumults, from labours, from watchings, from penury.

6 I approve myself, by chastity, by knowledge, by meekness, by kindness, by sanctity of mind, by undisguised benevolence,

7 by the preaching of truth, by the power of God, by the arms of justice, both offensive and defensive.

8 in honour and disgrace, under infamy, and in repute: look'd upon as an impostor, while I say what is true;

9 as unknown, and yet celebrated; as dying, and yet I am alive; as chastised, but not slain;

10 as sorrowful, though always cheerful; as poor, tho' inriching many; as having nothing, though contented with every thing.

11 O Corinthians, my heart is so full, my tongue cannot be silent:

12 our affections are as enlarged towards you, as yours are contracted towards us.

13 I address myself to you as a parent, be not you wanting in the returns of filial respect to me.

14 Are you not become associates with infidels? but what affinity is there between virtue and vice? and what communication has light with darkness?

15 what concord can Christ maintain with Belial? what concern has a believer with an infidel?

16 and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God has said, "I will dwell with, and walk among them; I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

17 wherefore come out from among them, be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

18 I will be a father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."