1We work together with God, and we beg you to make good use of God's gift of undeserved grace. 2 In the Scriptures God says,

“When the time came,

I listened to you,

and when you needed help,

I came to save you.”

That time has come. This is the day for you to be saved.

3We don't want anyone to find fault with our work, and so we try hard not to cause problems. 4But in everything and in every way we show we truly are God's servants. We have always been patient, though we have had a lot of trouble, suffering, and hard times. 5 We have been beaten, put in jail, and hurt in riots. We have worked hard and have gone without sleep or food. 6But we have kept ourselves pure and have been understanding, patient, and kind. The Holy Spirit has been with us, and our love has been real. 7We have spoken the truth, and God's power has worked in us. In all our struggles we have said and done only what is right.

8Whether we were honored or dishonored or praised or cursed, we always told the truth about ourselves. But some people said we did not. 9We are unknown to others, but well known to you. We seem to be dying, and yet we are still alive. We have been punished, but never killed, 10and we are always happy, even in times of suffering. Although we are poor, we have made many people rich. And though we own nothing, everything is ours.

11Friends in Corinth, we are telling the truth when we say there is room in our hearts for you. 12We are not holding back on our love for you, but you are holding back on your love for us. 13I speak to you as I would speak to my own children. Please make room in your hearts for us.

The Temple of the Living God

14Stay away from people who are not followers of the Lord! Can someone who is good get along with someone who is evil? Are light and darkness the same? 15Is Christ a friend of Satan?+ Can people who follow the Lord have anything in common with those who don't? 16 Do idols belong in the temple of God? We are the temple of the living God, as God himself says,

“I will live with these people

and walk among them.

I will be their God,

and they will be

my people.”

17 The Lord also says,

“Leave them and stay away!

Don't touch anything

that isn't clean.

Then I will welcome you

18 and be your Father.

You will be my sons

and my daughters,

as surely as I am God,

the All-Powerful.”