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¹ Since, then, we are working with God,[fn] we plead with you not to accept God's grace in vain.[xr] ² For he says,[xr] "At the right time I heard you, and on a day of salvation I helped you."[fn] Listen, now is really the "right time"! Now is the "day of salvation"! ³ We do not put an obstacle in anyone's way. Otherwise, fault may be found with our ministry.[xr] ⁴ Instead, in every way we demonstrate that we are God's servants by tremendous endurance in the midst of difficulties, hardships, and calamities;[xr] ⁵ in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights, and hunger;[xr] ⁶ with purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; with the Holy Spirit, genuine love, ⁷ truthful speech, and divine power; through the weapons of righteousness in the right and left hands;[xr] ⁸ through honor and dishonor; through ill repute and good repute; perceived[fn] as deceivers and yet true, ⁹ as unknown and yet well-known, as dying and yet - as you see - very much alive, as punished and yet not killed,[xr] ¹⁰ as sorrowful and yet always rejoicing, as poor and yet enriching many, as having nothing and yet possessing everything.

¹¹ We have spoken frankly[fn] to you, Corinthians. Our hearts are wide open.[xr] ¹² We have not cut you off, but you have cut off your own feelings toward us.[xr] ¹³ Do us a favor - I ask you as my children - and open wide your hearts.[xr] ¹⁴ Stop becoming[fn] unevenly yoked with unbelievers. What partnership can righteousness have with lawlessness? What fellowship can light have with darkness?[xr] ¹⁵ What harmony exists between Christ and Beliar,[fn] or what do a believer and an unbeliever have in common? ¹⁶ What agreement can a temple of God make with idols? For we[fn] are the temple of the living God, just as God said:[xr] "I will live and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people."[fn] ¹⁷ Therefore,[xr] "Get away from them and separate yourselves from them," declares the Lord, "and don't touch anything unclean. Then I will welcome you. ¹⁸ I will be your Father,[xr] and you will be my sons and daughters," declares the Lord Almighty.[fn]