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As God’s fellow workers,(a) then, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.
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For He says: “In the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.”(b) Behold, now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation!
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We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no one can discredit our ministry.
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Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities;
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in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger;
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in purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;
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in truthful speech and in the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;
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through glory and dishonor, slander and praise; viewed as imposters, yet genuine;
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as unknown, yet well-known; dying, and yet we live on; punished, yet not killed;
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sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
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We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians. Our hearts are open wide.
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It is not our affection, but yours, that is restrained.
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As a fair exchange, I ask you as my children: Open wide your hearts also.
Do Not Be Unequally Yoked
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Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?
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What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?(c) Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
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What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”(d)
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“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”(e)
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And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”(f)
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