2 Corinthians 5:10-21

Christian Standard Bible

¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat^(A) of Christ,^(B) so that each may be repaid^(C) for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

¹¹ Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord,^(D) we try to persuade people. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your consciences. 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 outward appearance rather than in the heart. ¹³ For if we are out of our mind,^(E) it is for God; if we are in our right mind,^(F) it is for you. ¹⁴ For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion, that one died for all,^(G) and therefore all died. ¹⁵ And he died for all^(H) so that those who live should no longer live for themselves,^(I) but for the one^(J) who died for them and was raised.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

¹⁶ From now on, then, we do not know anyone from a worldly perspective.^[a] Even if we have known Christ from a worldly perspective,^[b] yet now we no longer know him in this way. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;^(K) the old has passed away, and see,^(L) the new has^[c] come!^{(M) 18} Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.^{(N) 19} That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world^(O) to himself,^(P) not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.

²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors^(Q) for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf,^(R) “Be reconciled to God.” ²¹ He made the one who did not know sin^(S) to be sin^[d] for us,^(T) so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.