1And working together also, we entreat you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

2For He says, “In an accepted opportune time I hearkened (fittingly hear) to you and in the day of salvation I quickly came to the urgent aid of (run to meet an intense exclamation/distress call) you.” Behold, now is the time of acceptable-ness (well-receiving); behold, now is the day of salvation.

3Giving no cause for stumbling in anything that the ministry (diakonia) should not be disgraced because found blemished (found fault with, slandered, blamed). 4But rather in everything we are commending (standing together) ourselves, as God’s ministers (diakonoi), in great endurance, in tribulations, in necessities, in distressing difficulties, 5In beatings, in imprisonments, in unstable disturbances, in wearisome labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6In purity, in knowledge, in long patience (long to passion/anger, long forbearance), in useful kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere unhypocritical love, 7In the word of truth, in the power of God through the weapons of righteousness on the right and on the left. 8Through glory and dishonor, through defamation and commendation, as misleaders (misleading others to wander) and yet true (unconcealed, truthful, attested because tested); 9As being unknown and yet being well-known; as dying and yet behold we live; as being strictly chastised and yet not being killed; 10As being in deep sadness yet unceasingly rejoicing; as poor (beggarly, destitute), yet enriching many; as having nothing and yet possessing all things.

11Our mouth has been opened to you, Corinthians; our heart has been broadened (enlarged, expanded). 12You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your gut-level feelings (internal organs, visceral feelings, latin- visceribus, capacity to feel deep emotions). 13Now as the same matching recompense, I speak as to children, you be also broadened.

14Do not become yoked (yoked with those of a different kind, mis-matched) with unbelievers. For what partnership (metoche, sharing, joint activity) have righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship (koinonia) have light with darkness? 15And what accord (harmony, agreement, word like symphony) has Christ with Belial (a name of Satan that stresses his utter worthlessness because he is vile)? Or what part to a believer with an unbeliever?

16For what consent (assent, agreement, putting down together, latin-consensus) has the sacred abode (inner temple, part of temple where God resides) of God with idols? For we are the sacred abode (of the inner temple) of living God, just as God has said, “I will dwell at home in them and will walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be a people to Me.”

17Therefore, come from out of their midst (middle, between) and be separate (separate from with making boundaries), says the Lord, and touch (touch that influences or impacts) nothing unclean (impure, mixed) and I will welcome you.

18And I will be unto you a Father and you will be sons and daughters unto Me, says the Lord Almighty.