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But, as a help to you, we exhort you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
2
For he says: “In a favorable time, I heeded you; and on the day of salvation, I helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
3
May we never give offense to anyone, so that our ministry may not be disparaged.
4
But in all things, let us exhibit ourselves as ministers of God with great patience: through tribulation, difficulties, and distress;
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despite wounds, imprisonment, and rebellion; with hard work, vigilance, and fasting;
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by chastity, knowledge, and longsuffering; in pleasantness, in the Holy Spirit, and in unfeigned charity;
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with the Word of truth, with the power of God, and with the armor of justice to the right and to the left;
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through honor and dishonor, despite good reports and bad, whether seen as deceivers or truth-tellers, whether ignored or acknowledged;
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as if dying and yet truly alive; as if chastised and yet not subdued;(a)
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as if sorrowful and yet always rejoicing; as if needy and yet enriching many; as if having nothing and possessing everything.
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Our mouth is open to you, O Corinthians; our heart is enlarged.
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You are not narrowed by us, but it is by your own inner selves that you are narrowed.
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But since we have the same recompense, (I am speaking as if to my own sons), you, too, should be enlarged.
Do Not Be Unequally Yoked
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Do not choose to bear the yoke with unbelievers. For how can justice be a participant with iniquity? Or how can the fellowship of light be a participant with darkness?
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And how can Christ join together with Belial? Or what part do the faithful have with the unfaithful?
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And what consensus does the temple of God have with idols? For you are the temple of the living God, just as God says: “I will dwell with them, and I will walk among them. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
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Because of this, you must depart from their midst and be separate, says the Lord. And do not touch what is unclean.
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Then I will accept you. And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”
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