Paul’s Hardships and God’s Grace

1And working together, we also beseech, lest also ye receive the grace of God in vain.

2(For he says, In an acceptable time I listened to thee, and in the day of salvation have I run to succor thee: behold, now the acceptable time; behold; now the day of salvation.)

3Giving no offence in any thing, that the service be not blamed: 4But in every thing recommending ourselves as servants of God, in much patience, in pressures, in necessities, in extremities, 5In blows, in imprisonments, in disorders, in fatigues, in watchings, in fastings; 6In purity, 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 justice of the right hands and the left, 8Through glory and ignominy, through slander and applause: as erring, and true; 9As being ignorant, and knowing; as dying, and, behold, we live; as being disciplined, and not killed; 10As being grieved, and always rejoicing; as poor, and making many rich; as having nothing, and possessing all things.

11Our month stands open to you, O Corinthians, our heart has been enlarged. 12Ye are not contracted in us, but ye are contracted in your bowels. 13And for the same recompense, (I speak as to children,) be ye yourselves also enlarged.

Do Not Be Unequally Yoked

14Be not unequally yoked together with the unbelieving: for what participation to justice and iniquity and what communion to light with darkness? 15And what conformity to Christ with Belial? and what part to the believing with the unbelieving?

16And what agreement to the temple of God with images? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God said, That I will dwell in them, and will go round about; and will be their God, and they shall be a people to me.

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

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