Read the Bible.

[1] As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. [2] For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation. Paul’s Hardships [3] We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. [4] In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. [5] We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. [6] We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. [7] We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. [8] We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. [9] We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. [10] Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything. [11] Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you. [12] There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us. [13] I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us! The Temple of the Living God [14] Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? [15] What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? [16] And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. [17] Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. [18] And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”