「……當潔淨自己，除去身體、靈魂一切的污穢，敬畏神，得以成聖。」（1節）

經文
哥林多後書七1-16

1親愛的弟兄阿，我們既有這等應許，就當潔淨自己，除去身體、靈魂一切的污穢，敬畏神，得以成聖。

2你們要心地寬大收納我們。我們未曾虧負誰，未曾敗壞誰，未曾佔誰的便宜。

3我說這話，不是要定你們的罪。我已經說過，你們常在我們心裡，情願與你們同生同死。

4我大大的放膽，向你們說話；我因你們多多誇口，滿得安慰；我們在一切患難中分外的快樂。

5我們從前就是到了馬其頓的時候，身體也不得安寧，周圍遭患難，外有爭戰，內有懼怕。

6但那安慰喪氣之人的神藉著提多來安慰了我們；

7不但藉著他來，也藉著他從你們所得的安慰，安慰了我們；因他把你們的想念、哀慟，和向我的熱心，都告訴了我，叫我更加歡喜。

8我先前寫信叫你們憂愁，我後來雖然懊悔，如今卻不懊悔；因我知道，那信叫你們憂愁不過是暫時的。

9如今我歡喜，不是因你們憂愁，是因你們從憂愁中生出懊悔來。你們依著神的意思憂愁，凡事就不至於因我們受虧損了。

10因為依著神的意思憂愁，就生出沒有後悔的懊悔來，以致得救；但世俗的憂愁是叫人死。

11你看，你們依著神的意思憂愁，從此就生出何等的殷勤、自訴、自恨、恐懼、想念、熱心、責罰（或作：自責）。在這一切事上，你們都表明自己是潔淨的。

12我雖然從前寫信給你們，卻不是為那虧負人的，也不是為那受人虧負的，乃要在神面前把你們顧念我們的熱心表明出來。

13故此，我們得了安慰。並且在安慰之中，因你們眾人使提多心裡暢快歡喜，我們就更加歡喜了。

14我若對提多誇獎了你們甚麼，也覺得沒有慚愧；因我對提多誇獎你們的話成了真的，正如我對你們所說的話也都是真的。

15並且提多想起你們眾人的順服，是怎樣恐懼戰兢的接待他，他愛你們的心腸就越發熱了。

16我如今歡喜，能在凡事上為你們放心。

"... let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." (v.1)

Bible reading:
2 Corinthians 7:1-16

1 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

2 Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one.

3 I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you.

4 I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.

5 For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within.

6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,

7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while—

9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us.

10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.

12 So even though I wrote to you, it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are.

13 By all this we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you.

14 I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well.

15 And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling.

16 I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.