Paul’s Hardships and God’s Grace 1 CPDV But, as a help to you, we exhort you not to receive the grace of God in vain. BSB BSB: As God’s fellow workers, then, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.
2 CPDV 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. BSB BSB: For He says: “In the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation!
3 CPDV May we never give offense to anyone, so that our ministry may not be disparaged. BSB BSB: We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no one can discredit our ministry.
4 CPDV But in all things, let us exhibit ourselves as ministers of God with great patience: through tribulation, difficulties, and distress; BSB BSB: Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities;
5 CPDV despite wounds, imprisonment, and rebellion; with hard work, vigilance, and fasting; BSB BSB: in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger;
6 CPDV by chastity, knowledge, and longsuffering; in pleasantness, in the Holy Spirit, and in unfeigned charity; BSB BSB: in purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;
7 CPDV with the Word of truth, with the power of God, and with the armor of justice to the right and to the left; BSB BSB: in truthful speech and in the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;
8 CPDV through honor and dishonor, despite good reports and bad, whether seen as deceivers or truth-tellers, whether ignored or acknowledged; BSB BSB: through glory and dishonor, slander and praise; viewed as imposters, yet genuine;
9 CPDV as if dying and yet truly alive; as if chastised and yet not subdued; BSB BSB: unknown, yet well-known; dying, and yet we live on; punished, yet not killed;
10 CPDV as if sorrowful and yet always rejoicing; as if needy and yet enriching many; as if having nothing and possessing everything. BSB BSB: sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
11 CPDV Our mouth is open to you, O Corinthians; our heart is enlarged. BSB BSB: We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians. Our hearts are open wide.
12 CPDV You are not narrowed by us, but it is by your own inner selves that you are narrowed. BSB BSB: It is not our affection, but yours, that is restrained.
13 CPDV But since we have the same recompense, (I am speaking as if to my own sons), you, too, should be enlarged. BSB BSB: As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.
Do Not Be Unequally Yoked 14 CPDV 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? BSB BSB: Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?
15 CPDV And how can Christ join together with Belial? Or what part do the faithful have with the unfaithful? BSB BSB: What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
16 CPDV 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. BSB BSB: 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.”
17 CPDV Because of this, you must depart from their midst and be separate, says the Lord. And do not touch what is unclean. BSB BSB: “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
18 CPDV 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.” BSB BSB: And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.