For he says, "I heard you at the acceptable time, and in the day of salvation I helped you." Look, now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation!

Therefore "come out from their midst, and be separate," says the Lord, "and touch no unclean thing, and I will welcome you,

and I will be a father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters," says the All-Powerful Lord.

I do not say this to condemn you, for I told you before that you are in our hearts so that we die together and live together with you.

For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter of equality.

because some say, "His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is weak and his speech is of no account."

Let such a person consider this: What we say by letters when we are absent, we also are in actions when we are present.

I say again, let no one think that I am a fool. But if you do, then at least accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.

What I am saying with this boastful confidence I do not say the way the Lord would. Instead it is, as it were, foolishness.

(To my disgrace I must say that we were too weak for that!) But whatever anyone else dares to boast about (I am speaking foolishly), I also dare to boast about the same thing.

I said before when I was present the second time and now, though absent, I say again to those who sinned previously and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare anyone,