Let Everything Praise the Lord

1 ^tWorking together with him, then, ^uwe appeal to you ^vnot to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,

Behold, ^xnow is the ^yfavorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We ^zput no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but ^aas servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: ^bby great endurance, ^cin afflictions, ^dhardships, calamities, 5 ^ebeatings, imprisonments, ^friots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 ^gby purity, ^hknowledge, patience, kindness, ⁱthe Holy Spirit, ^jgenuine love; 7 by ^ktruthful speech, and ^lthe power of God; with ^mthe weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, ⁿthrough slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and ^oyet well known; ^pas dying, and behold, we live; ^qas punished, and yet not killed; 10 ^ras sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; ^sas poor, yet making many rich; ^tas having nothing, ^uyet possessing everything.

11 We have spoken freely to you,¹ Corinthians; ^vour heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but ^wyou are restricted in your own affections. 13 ^xIn return (I speak ^yas to children) widen your hearts also.

The Temple of the Living God

14 ^zDo not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For ^awhat partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or ^bwhat fellowship has light with darkness? 15 ^cWhat accord has Christ with Belial?² Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For ^dwe are the temple of the living God; as God said,