¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,^(A) the new creation^(B) has come:^[a] The old has gone, the new is here!^{(C) 18} All this is from God,^(D) who reconciled us to himself through Christ^(E) 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.^(F) And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,^(G) as though God were making his appeal through us.^(H) We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.^(I)

¹⁴ For he himself is our peace,^(A) who has made the two groups one^(B) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵ by setting aside in his flesh^(C) the law with its commands and regulations.^(D) His purpose was to create in himself one^(E) new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross,^(F) by which he put to death their hostility. ¹⁷ He came and preached peace^(G) to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.^(H)

¹⁹ For God was pleased^(A) to have all his fullness^(B) dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile^(C) to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,^(D) by making peace^(E) through his blood,^(F) shed on the cross.

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ^(A) rule in your hearts, since as members of one body^(B) you were called to peace.^(C) And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ^(D) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom^(E) through psalms,^(F) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.^{(G) 17} And whatever you do,^(H) whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks^(I) to God the Father through him.