1
We are workers together with God, so we beg you: Do not let the grace that you received from God be for nothing.
2
God says, "At the right time I heard your prayers. On the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you that the "right time" is now, and the "day of salvation" is now.
3
We do not want anyone to find fault with our work, so nothing we do will be a problem for anyone.
4
But in every way we show we are servants of God: in accepting many hard things, in troubles, in difficulties, and in great problems.
5
We are beaten and thrown into prison. We meet those who become upset with us and start riots. We work hard, and sometimes we get no sleep or food.
6
We show we are servants of God by our pure lives, our understanding, patience, and kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by true love,
7
by speaking the truth, and by God's power. We use our right living to defend ourselves against everything.