1Since we are God’s1861 fellow workers, we also entreat you not to receive his grace in vain, 2for he says,
At a favorable1862 time I listened to you;1863
In a day of salvation I helped you.1864
Behold, now is the acceptable time! Behold, now is the day of salvation! 3We give no occasion for stumbling in anything, so that our ministry may not be blamed. 4Instead, we seek to be approved as servants of God in everything, in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, 5in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in vigils,1865 in fastings, 6in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in a holy spirit,1866 in sincere love, 7in the word of truth, and in the power of God. There is also the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8glory and dishonor, evil report and good report; being thought of as deceivers, and yet true; 9unknown, and yet well-known; dying, and behold, we live; punished, and yet not killed; 10sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; thought to have nothing even though we possess all things!
11We have spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, and our heart is open wide. 12We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us! 13In return, I speak to you as to my children: be open [to what we have to say].
A holy people
14Do not be mismatched with unbelievers: what association is there between righteousness and wickedness? Or what fellowship is there between light and darkness? 15What agreement does Christ have with Belial?1867 What sharing is there between a believer and an unbeliever? 16What agreement can there be between God’s sanctuary and idols? For you are a sanctuary of the living God. Even as God said, “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”1868 17Therefore:
‘Come out from among them and be separate,’ says the Lord.
‘Touch no unclean thing.
I will receive you.1869
18I will be a Father to you.
You will be to me sons and daughters,’
says the Lord Almighty.”1870
- Greek “his”
- Or “acceptable”
- NT agrees with LXX against MT.
- Isaias 49:8
- Or “night-watches”
- Sometimes translated “in the Holy Spirit”
- Or “Beliar”—the worthless one
- Leviticus 26:12; Jeremiah 32:38; Ezekiel 37:27; Revelation 2:3
- Isaias 52:11; Ezekiel 20:34,41
- 2 Samuel 7:14; 7:8
Text: The Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible, New Testament (EOB). Used with permission.
