Dual Panel1As cooperators with God himself we beg you, then, not to fail to use the grace of God which you have received.
2For God's word isAt an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee, And in a day of salvation did I succour thee. Now [is] the "acceptable time", and this very day [is] the "day of salvation".
3As far as we are concerned we do not wish to stand in anyone's way, nor do we wish to bring discredit on the ministry God has given us.
4Indeed we want to prove ourselves genuine ministers of God whatever we have to go throughpatient endurance of troubles, hardship, desperate situations,
5being flogged or imprisoned; being mobbed, overworked, sleepless and starving;
6with sincerity, with insight and patience; by sheer kindness and the Holy Spirit; with genuine love,
7speaking the plain truth, and living by the power of God. Our sole defence, our only weapon, is a life of integrity,
8whether we meet honour or dishonour, praise or blame. Called "impostors" we must be true,
9called "nobodies" we must be in the public eye. Never far from death, yet here we are alive, always "going through it" yet never "going under".
10We know sorrow, yet our joy is inextinguishable. We have"'nothing to bless ourselves with" yet we bless many others with true riches. We are penniless, and yet we possess everything.
11Dear friends in Corinth, we are hiding nothing from you and our hearts are absolutely open to you.
12Any restraint between us must be on your side, for we assure you there is none on ours.
13Do reward me (I talk to you as though you were my own children) with the same complete candour!
14Don't link up with unbelievers and try to work with them. What common interest can there be between goodness and evil? How can light and darkness share life together?
15How can there be harmony between Christ and the devil? What can a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
16What common ground can idols hold with the temple of God? For we, remember, are ourselves temples of the living God, as God has said: I will dwell in them and walk in them: And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17Therefore come ye out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18and will be to you a Father, and ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.