1Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. (مر 16:20; أع 15:4; 1كو 3:9; 2كو 5:20; عب 12:15)2For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (مز 32:6; مز 69:13; إش 49:8; إش 55:6; لو 4:19; عب 3:13)3We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, (1كو 8:13; 1كو 9:12)4but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, (أع 9:16; 2كو 3:6; 2كو 12:10; 2كو 12:12; 1تس 3:2; 2تي 2:24; 2تي 3:10)5beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; (أع 16:23; أع 17:5; 2كو 11:23)6by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; (رو 12:9; رو 15:19; 2كو 11:6; 1تس 1:5; 1تس 2:10; يع 3:17)7by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; (1كو 2:5; 2كو 10:4; أف 1:13; أف 6:11; كو 1:5)8through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; (رو 3:8)9as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; (مز 118:18; 2كو 4:10; 2كو 11:6)10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. (أم 13:7; يو 16:22; أع 3:6; 1كو 1:5; 1كو 7:30; 2كو 7:4; 2كو 8:9)11We have spoken freely to you,[1] Corinthians; our heart is wide open. (مز 119:32; 2كو 7:3; 2كو 11:11; 2كو 12:15)12You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. (2كو 7:2)13In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also. (1كو 4:14; غل 4:12)
The Temple of the Living God
14Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? (تث 7:3; يش 23:12; عز 9:2; نح 13:25; أع 26:18; 1كو 7:39; أف 5:7; أف 5:11; 1يو 1:6)15What accord has Christ with Belial?[2] Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? (1كو 10:21)16What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (خر 6:7; خر 29:45; لا 26:12; إر 31:33; حز 11:20; 1كو 3:16; أف 2:22; رؤ 2:1; رؤ 21:3)17Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, (إش 52:11; حز 20:34; حز 20:41; صف 3:20; 2كو 7:1; رؤ 18:4)18and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” (خر 4:22; 2صم 7:8; 2صم 7:14; إش 43:6; إر 31:9; هو 1:10; رؤ 21:7)