1 - We then, working together with God, make our request to you not to take the grace of God to no purpose.
2 - (For he says, I have given ear to you at a good time, and I have been your helper in a day of salvation: see, now is the good time; now is the day of salvation):
3 - Giving no cause for trouble in anything, so that no one may be able to say anything against our work;
4 - But in everything making it clear that we are the servants of God, in quiet strength, in troubles, in need, in sorrow,
5 - In blows, in prisons, in attacks, in hard work, in watchings, in going without food;
6 - In a clean heart, in knowledge, in long waiting, in being kind, in the Holy Spirit, in true love,
7 - In the true word, in the power of God; with the arms of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8 - By glory and by shame, by an evil name and a good name; as untrue, and still true;
9 - Unnoted, but still kept fully in mind; as near to death, but still living; as undergoing punishment, but not put to death;
10 - As full of sorrow, but ever glad; as poor, but giving wealth to others; as having nothing, but still having all things.
11 - Our mouth is open to you, O Corinthians, our heart is wide.
12 - It is not our feelings to you which are narrow, but yours to us.
13 - Now to give me back payment of the same sort (I am talking as to my children), let your hearts be wide open to me.
14 - Do not keep company with those who have not faith: for what is there in common between righteousness and evil, or between light and dark?
15 - And what agreement is there between Christ and the Evil One? or what part has one who has faith with one who has not?
16 - And what agreement has the house of God with images? for we are a house of the living God; even as God has said, I will be living among them, and walking with them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people.
17 - For which cause, Come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, and let no unclean thing come near you; and I will take you for myself,
18 - And will be a Father to you; and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord, the Ruler of all.