The Experience of the Ministry. 1* Working together,a then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.* 2For he says:

Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3c We cause no one to stumble* in anything, in order that no fault may be found with our ministry; 4* on the contrary, in everything we commend ourselves as ministers of God, through much endurance,* in afflictions, hardships, constraints,d 5beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, vigils, fasts;e 6* by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, in a holy spirit, in unfeigned love,f 7in truthful speech, in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness at the right and at the left;g 8through glory and dishonor, insult and praise. We are treated as deceivers and yet are truthful;* 9as unrecognized and yet acknowledged; as dying and behold we live; as chastised and yet not put to death;h 10as sorrowful yet always rejoicing; as poor yet enriching many; as having nothing and yet possessing all things.i

11* We have spoken frankly to you, Corinthians; our heart is open wide. 12You are not constrained by us; you are constrained by your own affections.j 13As recompense in kind (I speak as to my children), be open yourselves.k

Call to Holiness. 14* Do not be yoked with those who are different, with unbelievers.* For what partnership do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? 15What accord has Christ with Beliar? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16l What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said: