Paul’s Hardships and God’s Grace

1And, working together with Him, we also entreat you that ye receive not the grace of God in vain

2(for He saith, "At an acceptable time I heard Thee, and in a day of salvation did I succor Thee;" behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation);

3giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministry be not blamed; 4but in everything commending ourselves as God's ministers, in much patience, in tribulations, in necessities, in distresses, 5in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in toilings, in watchings, in fastings; 6in pureness, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned, 7in the word of truth, in the power of God; through the weapons of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8through glory and dishonor, through 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 always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and possessing all things.

11Our mouth has been open to you, O Corinthians! our heart has been enlarged! 12Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own affections. 13Now, for a recompense in like kind (I am speaking as to my children), be ye also enlarged.

Do Not Be Unequally Yoked

14Become not unequally yoked with unbelievers; for what fellowship have righteousness and lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15And what concord of Christ is there with Belial? or what portion has a believer with an unbeliever?

16And what agreement has a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God, as God said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people."

17Wherefore, "Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate," saith the Lord, "and touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you;

18and I will be to you a Father, and ye shall be My sons and daughters." saith the Lord Almighty.