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14 For the love of Christ (A)controls us, having concluded this, that (B)one died for all, therefore all died. 15 And He died for all, so that they who live would no longer (C)live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one [a](D)according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ [b]according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is (E)in Christ, he is (F)a new creation; (G)the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now (H)all these things are from God, (I)who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the (J)ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that (K)God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, (L)not counting their transgressions against them, and [c]He has [d]committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20 So then, we are (M)ambassadors for Christ, (N)as God is pleading through us. We beg you on behalf of Christ, be (O)reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who (P)knew no sin to be (Q)sin on our behalf, so that we might become the (R)righteousness of God in Him.

Commendable Ministers of God

And (S)working together with Him, (T)we also plead with you not to receive (U)the grace of God in vain— for He says,

(V)At the acceptable time I listened to you,
And on the day of salvation I helped you.”

Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation”—

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 5:16 By what he is in the flesh
  2. 2 Corinthians 5:16 By what he is in the flesh
  3. 2 Corinthians 5:19 Lit having
  4. 2 Corinthians 5:19 Lit placed in us

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