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¹ Working together with him, we also appeal to you, “Don’t receive the grace of God in vain.” ² For he says:

See, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation!^(C2)

The Character of Paul’s Ministry

³ We are not giving anyone an occasion for offense, so that the ministry will not be blamed. ⁴ Instead, as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves in everything: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardships, by difficulties, ⁵ by beatings, by imprisonments,^(C1) by riots, by labors, by sleepless nights, by times of hunger, ⁶ by purity,^(C1) by knowledge,^(C2) by patience,^(C3) by kindness,^(C4) by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,^{(C5) 7} by the word of truth,^(F1)(C1) by the power of God;^(C2) through weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, ⁸ through glory^(C1) and dishonor, through slander and good report; regarded as deceivers, yet true; ⁹ as unknown, yet recognized; as dying, yet see—we live; as being disciplined, yet not killed; ¹⁰ as grieving, yet always rejoicing;^(C1) as poor, yet enriching many; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. ¹¹ We have spoken openly to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide. ¹² We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. ¹³ I speak as to my children; as a proper response, open your heart to us.

Separation to God

¹⁴ Don’t become partners with those who do not believe. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness?^(C1) Or what fellowship does light^(C2) have with darkness?^{(C3) 15} What agreement does Christ have with Belial?^(F1) Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ And what agreement does the temple of God have with idols?^(C1) For we^(F1) are the temple of the living God, as God said: