Paul appeals to the Corinthians not to receive God's grace in vain. He lists the hardships he has endured as a servant of God and pleads with them to open their hearts and to separate themselves from idolatry.
1 We then , as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain .
2 (For he saith , I have heard thee in a time accepted , and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee : behold , now is the accepted time ; behold , now is the day of salvation .)
3 Giving no offence in any thing , that the ministry be not blamed :
4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God , in much patience , in afflictions , in necessities , in distresses ,
5 In stripes , in imprisonments , in tumults , in labours , in watchings , in fastings ;
6 By pureness , by knowledge , by longsuffering , by kindness , by the Holy Ghost , by love unfeigned ,
7 By the word of truth , by the power of God , by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left ,
8 By honour and dishonour , by evil report and good report : as deceivers , and yet true ;
9 As unknown , and yet well known ; as dying , and , behold , we live ; as chastened , and not killed ;
10 As sorrowful , yet alway rejoicing ; as poor , yet making many rich ; as having nothing , and yet possessing all things .
11 O ye Corinthians , our mouth is open unto you , our heart is enlarged .
12 Ye are not straitened in us , but ye are straitened in your own bowels .
13 Now for a recompence in the same ,(I speak as unto my children ,) be ye also enlarged .
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers : for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness ? and what communion hath light with darkness ?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial ? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel ?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols ? for ye are the temple of the living God ; as God hath said , I will dwell in them , and walk in them; and I will be their God , and they shall be my people .
17 Wherefore come out from among them , and be ye separate , saith the Lord , and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you ,
18 And will be a Father unto you , and ye shall be my sons and daughters , saith the Lord Almighty .