2 Corinthians 6:6-13

We show that we are servants of God by living a pure life, by our understanding, by our patience, and by our kindness. We show this by the Holy Spirit, by true love, by speaking the truth, and by God’s power. We use our right living to defend ourselves against everything. Some people honor us, but other people shame us. Some people say good things about us, but other people say bad things. Some people say we are liars, but we speak the truth. We are not known, but we are well-known. We seem to be dying, but look—we continue to live. We are punished, but we are not killed. We have much sadness, but we are always rejoicing. We are poor, but we are making many people rich in faith. We have nothing, but really we have everything. We have spoken freely to you in Corinth. We have opened our hearts to you. Our feelings of love for you have not stopped. It is you that have stopped your feelings of love for us. I speak to you as if you were my children. Do to us as we have done—open your hearts to us.