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.

(N)Working together with him, then, (O)we appeal to you (P)not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says,

(Q)“In a favorable time I listened to you,
    and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, (R)now is the (S)favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Or creature
  2. 2 Corinthians 5:19 Or God was in Christ, reconciling

16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly(A) point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,(B) the new creation(C) has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!(D) 18 All this is from God,(E) who reconciled us to himself through Christ(F) 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.(G) And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,(H) as though God were making his appeal through us.(I) We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.(J) 21 God made him who had no sin(K) to be sin[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.(L)

As God’s co-workers(M) we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.(N) For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,
    and in the day of salvation I helped you.”[c](O)

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Or Christ, that person is a new creation.
  2. 2 Corinthians 5:21 Or be a sin offering
  3. 2 Corinthians 6:2 Isaiah 49:8

16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)