Paul’s Hardships and God’s Grace

1Invested then with such a commission, I beseech you let not the offers of divine favour be made to you in vain.

2for he saith, " I have heard thee in a favourable time, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee." now this is the favourable time; this is that day of salvation.

3as for us, we give no occasion of offence, that our ministry may not be blamed: 4but in all things I approve myself as the minister of God, by great constancy in afflictions, in torments, in distresses, from stripes, 5from imprisonments, from tumults, from labours, from watchings, from penury. 6I approve myself, by chastity, by knowledge, by meekness, by kindness, by sanctity of mind, by undisguised benevolence, 7by the preaching of truth, by the power of God, by the arms of justice, both offensive and defensive. 8in honour and disgrace, under infamy, and in repute: look'd upon as an impostor, while I say what is true; 9as unknown, and yet celebrated; as dying, and yet I am alive; as chastised, but not slain; 10as sorrowful, though always cheerful; as poor, tho' inriching many; as having nothing, though contented with every thing.

11O Corinthians, my heart is so full, my tongue cannot be silent: 12our affections are as enlarged towards you, as yours are contracted towards us. 13I address myself to you as a parent, be not you wanting in the returns of filial respect to me.

Do Not Be Unequally Yoked

14Are you not become associates with infidels? but what affinity is there between virtue and vice? and what communication has light with darkness? 15what concord can Christ maintain with Belial? what concern has a believer with an infidel?

16and 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.

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

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