⁹ So we make it our goal to please him,^(A) whether we are at home in the body or away from it. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us^(B) for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

¹¹ Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord,^(C) we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.^{(D) 12} We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again,^(E) but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us,^(F) 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,”^(G) 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.^{(H) 15} And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves^(I) but for him who died for them^(J) and was raised again.

¹⁶ So from now on we regard no one from a worldly^(K) point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,^(L) the new creation^(M) has come:^[a] The old has gone, the new is here!^{(N) 18} All this is from God,^(O) who reconciled us to himself through Christ^(P) 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.^(Q) And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

6 As God’s co-workers^(A) we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.^{(B) 2} For he says,

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