Paul’s Hardships and God’s Grace 1 UST As those who serve with God, we encourage you to accept fully what God has graciously done{ for you}, so that it changes{ how you live}. BSB BSB: As God’s fellow workers, then, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.
2 UST { You should do that} because God says{ in the scripture}:“When I considered it to be the right time, I heard you{ and acted}. Indeed, when I was rescuing{ people}, I assisted you.” Right now is when God considers it to be the best time! Indeed, right now is when God is rescuing{ people}! 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 UST We avoid doing anything that might offend others. That way, no one can criticize how we serve{ God}. BSB BSB: We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no one can discredit our ministry.
4 UST Rather, we prove that we are trustworthy in every way while we serve God. We always persevere when people hurt and persecute us. BSB BSB: Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities;
5 UST { We persevere} when people strike us, put us in jail, and stir up crowds against us.{ We persevere} when we work hard, do not sleep much, and go hungry. BSB BSB: in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger;
6 UST We are free from evil things, we know{ what is true}, and we do not easily become angry. We care{ for others}, we have the Holy Spirit, and we love{ people} sincerely. BSB BSB: in purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;
7 UST We proclaim what is true, and God enables us to act powerfully. We are righteous, which is like having a sword in one hand and a shield in the other. 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 UST Some people honor us, and others shame us. Some people say bad things about us, and others say good things about us. Some people think that we tell lies, but really we speak what is true. BSB BSB: through glory and dishonor, slander and praise; viewed as imposters, yet genuine;
9 UST Some people think that nobody acknowledges us, but really, God acknowledges us. Some people think that we are dying, but really, we are alive! Some people think that God is punishing us, but really, he has not decided that we should die. BSB BSB: unknown, yet well-known; dying, and yet we live on; punished, yet not killed;
10 UST Some people think that we mourn, but really, we continually rejoice. Some people think that we are needy, but really, we help many people gain what is truly valuable. Some people think that we do not have anything, but really, we have everything. BSB BSB: sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
11 UST Fellow believers in the city of Corinth, we have told you what is true, and we care for you greatly. BSB BSB: We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians. Our hearts are open wide.
12 UST We are not the ones who have stopped{ caring for you}. Rather, it is you who have stopped caring{ for us}. BSB BSB: It is not our affection, but yours, that is restrained.
13 UST Now I will speak to you{ as if you thought in simple ways} like children{ do}: since we care for you, it would only be right if you cared for us in return. BSB BSB: As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.
Do Not Be Unequally Yoked 14 UST Do not join in with people who do not trust{ the Messiah}.{ I say that} because what is right and what is wrong have nothing in common. Further, what is good shares nothing with what is evil. 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 UST The Messiah does not agree{ about anything} with the devil Beliar. Further, people who trust{ the Messiah} do not belong with people who do not trust{ the Messiah}. BSB BSB: What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
16 UST God’ s temple does not go together with other gods. In fact, it is as if we{ who believe} were the only real God’ s temple.{ You can tell that we are God’ s temple} because God spoke{ these words in the Scriptures}:“I will be with my people. Indeed, I will not leave them. They will consider me to be their God and I will consider them to 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 UST So then,{ we should do what} the Lord{ God} says{ in the Scriptures}:“Get away from people{ who do not serve me}. Make sure that you are different{ than them}. Stay away from anything that defiles you.”{ He says,}“Then, I will gladly receive you.” BSB BSB: “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
18 UST Further, the Lord{ God}, who rules all things, says,“I will be your father. You will be my sons and daughters.” 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.