2 Corinthians 5:16-21
English Standard Version
16 From now on, therefore, (A)we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is (B)in Christ, he is (C)a new creation.[a] (D)The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, (E)who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us (F)the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling[b] the world to himself, (G)not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us (H)the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, (I)we are ambassadors for Christ, (J)God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 (K)For our sake he made him to be sin (L)who knew no sin, so that in him we might become (M)the righteousness of God.
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- 2 Corinthians 5:17 Or creature
- 2 Corinthians 5:19 Or God was in Christ, reconciling
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Living Bible
16 So stop evaluating Christians by what the world thinks about them or by what they seem to be like on the outside. Once I mistakenly thought of Christ that way, merely as a human being like myself. How differently I feel now! 17 When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!
18 All these new things are from God who brought us back to himself through what Christ Jesus did. And God has given us the privilege of urging everyone to come into his favor and be reconciled to him. 19 For God was in Christ, restoring the world to himself, no longer counting men’s sins against them but blotting them out. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others. 20 We are Christ’s ambassadors. God is using us to speak to you: we beg you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, receive the love he offers you—be reconciled to God. 21 For God took the sinless Christ and poured into him our sins. Then, in exchange, he poured God’s goodness into us![a]
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- 2 Corinthians 5:21 For God took the sinless Christ and . . . poured God’s goodness into us, literally, “Him who knew no sin, he made sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in him.”
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.