²³ I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me^(A) that prison and hardships are facing me.^(B)

⁴ We sought out the disciples^(A) there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit^(B) they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.

¹¹ Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says,^(A) ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind^(B) the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”^(C)

¹³ Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die^(A) in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”^(B)

⁴ Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; ⁵ in beatings, imprisonments^(A) and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;^{(B) 6} in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit^(C) and in sincere love;^{(D) 7} in truthful speech^(E) and in the power of God;^(F) with weapons of righteousness^(G) in the right hand and in the left; ⁸ through glory and dishonor,^(H) bad report^(I) and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;^{(J) 9} known, yet regarded as unknown; dying,^(K) and yet we live on;^(L) beaten, and yet not killed; ¹⁰ sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;^(M) poor, yet making many rich;^(N) having nothing,^(O) and yet possessing everything.^(P)

¹¹ We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.^{(Q) 12} We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. ¹³ As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children^(R)—open wide your hearts^(S) also.

Warning Against Idolatry

¹⁴ Do not be yoked together^(T) with unbelievers.^(U) For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?^{(V) 15} What harmony is there between Christ and Belial^[a]?^(W) Or what does a believer^(X) have in common with an unbeliever?^{(Y) 16} What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?^(Z) For we are the temple^(AA) of the living God.^(AB) As God has said:

¹⁷ Therefore,

¹⁸ And,

²³ Are they servants of Christ?^(A) (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder,^(B) been in prison more frequently,^(C) been flogged more severely,^(D) and been exposed to death again and again.^{(E) 24} Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes^(F) minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods,^(G) once I was pelted with stones,^(H) three times I was shipwrecked,^(I) I spent a night and a day in the open sea, ²⁶ I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews,^(J) in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city,^(K) in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.^{(L) 27} I have labored and toiled^(M) and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food;^(N) I have been cold and naked.

³ so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.^(A) For you know quite well that we are destined for them.^(B)