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1 Working together, we entreat also that you do not receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,
“At an acceptable time I listened to you.
In a day of salvation I helped you.”*Isaiah 49:8
Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We give no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our service may not be blamed, 4 but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God: in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, 5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labours, in watchings, in fastings, 6 in pureness, in knowledge, in perseverance, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love, 7 in the word of truth, in the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by glory 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 punished and not killed, 10 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing all things.
11 Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians. Our heart is enlarged. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. 13 Now in return—I speak as to my children—you also open your hearts.
14 Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? 15 What agreement does Messiah have with Belial? Or what portion does a believer have with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement does a temple of God have with idols? For you are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk in them. I will be their God and they will be my people.”*Leviticus 26:12; Jeremiah 32:38; Ezekiel 37:27 17 Therefore
“ ‘Come out from amongst them,
and be separate,’ says the Lord.
‘Touch no unclean thing.
I will receive you.*Isaiah 52:11; Ezekiel 20:34,41
18 I will be to you a Father.
You will be to me sons and daughters,’
says the Lord Almighty.”*2 Samuel 7:14; 7:8