Paul’s Hardships and God’s Grace

1But working together we indeed intreat you not to have received the grace of God in vain:

2(for he says, At a set time I heard you, and in the day of salvation I assisted you; behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation);

3giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, in order that the ministry may not be blamed; 4but in everything commending ourselves, as the ministers of God, in much patience, in tribulations, in straits, in difficulties, 5in stripes, in prisons, in tumults, in labors, in vigils, in fastings; 6by purity, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, 7by the word of truth, by the power of God; through the arms of righteousness right and left, 8through glory and dishonor, through evil report and good report; as deceivers, and true; 9as being unknown, and perfectly known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and not killed; 10as sorrowing, and always rejoicing; as poor, and making many rich; as having nothing, and possessing all things.

11Our mouth is open unto you, O Corinthians, our heart is enlarged. 12Be not straitened in reference to us, but be straitened in your own affections. 13But as I speak to children, you indeed receive this reward.

Do Not Be Unequally Yoked

14Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what participation is there to righteousness and unrighteousness? or what fellowship has light unto darkness? 15What concord of Christ unto Belial? or what part has a faithful man with an infidel?

16And what harmony has the temple of God with idols? for we are the temple of the living God; as God said; I will live in them, and walk about among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

17Therefore come out from the midst of them, and be ye separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

18and I will be to you for a Father, and you shall be unto me for sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.