The Ministry of Reconciliation

11 Therefore, knowing (A)the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But (B)what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 (C)We are not commending ourselves to you again but (D)giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For if we (E)are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.

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Ministry of reconciliation

11 So we try to persuade people, since we know what it means to fear the Lord. We are well known by God, and I hope that in your heart we are well known by you as well. 12 We aren’t trying to commend ourselves to you again. Instead, we are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us so that you could answer those who take pride in superficial appearance, and not in what is in the heart.

13 If we are crazy, it’s for God’s sake. If we are rational, it’s for your sake.

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