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2 Corinthians 5:11-21
Holman Christian Standard Bible
2 Corinthians 5:11-21
Holman Christian Standard Bible
11 Therefore, because we know the fear of the Lord,(A) we seek to persuade people. We are completely open before God, and I hope we are completely open to your consciences as well. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who take pride in the outward appearance[a] rather than in the heart. 13 For if we are out of our mind,(B) it is for God; if we have a sound mind,(C) it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels[b] us, since we have reached this conclusion: If One died for all,(D) then all died. 15 And He died for all(E) so that those who live should no longer live for themselves,(F) but for the One(G) who died for them and was raised.
The Ministry of Reconciliation
16 From now on, then, we do not know[c] anyone in a purely human way.[d] Even if we have known[e] Christ in a purely human way,[f] yet now we no longer know[g] Him in this way. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;(H) old things have passed away, and look,(I) new things[h] have come.(J) 18 Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:(K) 19 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world(L) to Himself,(M) not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors(N) for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf,(O) “Be reconciled to God.” 21 He made the One who did not know sin(P) to be sin[i] for us,(Q) so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 2 Corinthians 5:12 Lit in face
- 2 Corinthians 5:14 Or For the love of Christ impels, or For the love of Christ controls
- 2 Corinthians 5:16 Or regard
- 2 Corinthians 5:16 Lit anyone according to the flesh
- 2 Corinthians 5:16 Or have regarded
- 2 Corinthians 5:16 Lit Christ according to the flesh
- 2 Corinthians 5:16 Or regard
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 Other mss read look, all new things
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 Or be a sin offering
2 Corinthians 5:11-21
New International Version
2 Corinthians 5:11-21
New International Version
The Ministry of Reconciliation
11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord,(A) we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.(B) 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again,(C) but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us,(D) so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we are “out of our mind,”(E) as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.(F) 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves(G) but for him who died for them(H) and was raised again.
16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly(I) point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,(J) the new creation(K) has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!(L) 18 All this is from God,(M) who reconciled us to himself through Christ(N) and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.(O) And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,(P) as though God were making his appeal through us.(Q) We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.(R) 21 God made him who had no sin(S) to be sin[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.(T)
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 Or Christ, that person is a new creation.
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 Or be a sin offering
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
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New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.