¹⁴ For the love of Christ controls us, because we^[a] have concluded this: that one died for all; as a result all died. ¹⁵ And he died for all, in order that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised.

¹⁶ So then, from now on we know no one from a human point of view^[b], if indeed we have known Christ from a human point of view^[c], but now we know him this way no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. ¹⁸ And all these things are from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation, ¹⁹ namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ Therefore we are ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as if^[d] God were imploring you through us. We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. ²¹ He made the one who did not know sin to be sin on our behalf, in order that we could become the righteousness of God in him.

Afflictions of God’s Servants

6 Now because we^[e] are fellow workers, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain. ² For he says,

Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation!