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14 For the charity of the Christ constrains us because we judge thus: that if one died for all, then all are dead:

15 And that he died for all that those who live should not live from now on unto themselves, but unto him who died and rose again for them.

16 ¶ Therefore from now on we know no one according to the flesh: and even if we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him no longer.

17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are made new.

18 And all this by God, who reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 for certainly God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them and having placed in us the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did exhort you by us; we beseech you in Christ’s name, be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he has 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, exhort you also that ye have not received the grace of God in vain.

(For he saith, I have heard thee in an acceptable time, and in the day of saving health I have succoured thee; behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of saving health.)

14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.(A) 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves(B) but for him who died for them(C) and was raised again.

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

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

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

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