But, as a help to you, we exhort you not to receive the grace of God in vain
For he says: “In a favorable time, I heeded you; and on the day of salvation, I helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation
May we never give offense to anyone, so that our ministry may not be disparaged
But in all things, let us exhibit ourselves as ministers of God with great patience: through tribulation, difficulties, and distress
despite wounds, imprisonment, and rebellion; with hard work, vigilance, and fasting
by chastity, knowledge, and longsuffering; in pleasantness, in the Holy Spirit, and in unfeigned charity
with the Word of truth, with the power of God, and with the armor of justice to the right and to the left
through honor and dishonor, despite good reports and bad, whether seen as deceivers or truth-tellers, whether ignored or acknowledged
as if dying and yet truly alive; as if chastised and yet not subdued
as if sorrowful and yet always rejoicing; as if needy and yet enriching many; as if having nothing and possessing everything
Our mouth is open to you, O Corinthians; our heart is enlarged
You are not narrowed by us, but it is by your own inner selves that you are narrowed
But since we have the same recompense, (I am speaking as if to my own sons), you, too, should be enlarged
Do not choose to bear the yoke with unbelievers. For how can justice be a participant with iniquity? Or how can the fellowship of light be a participant with darkness
And how can Christ join together with Belial? Or what part do the faithful have with the unfaithful
And what consensus does the temple of God have with idols? For you are the temple of the living God, just as God says: “I will dwell with them, and I will walk among them. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people
Because of this, you must depart from their midst and be separate, says the Lord. And do not touch what is unclean
Then I will accept you. And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.