2 Corinthians 5:11–20

The Ministry of Reconciliation

¹¹Therefore, knowing ^ythe fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But ^zwhat we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. ^12aWe are not commending ourselves to you again but ^bgiving 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. ¹³For if we ^care beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. ¹⁴For the love of Christ ^dcontrols us, because we have concluded this: that ^eone has died for all, therefore all have died; ¹⁵and he died for all, ^fthat those who live might no longer live for themselves but ^gfor him who for their sake died and was raised.

¹⁶From now on, therefore, ^hwe regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. ¹⁷Therefore, if anyone is ⁱin Christ, he is ^ja new creation.^{2 k}The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. ¹⁸All this is from God, ^lwho through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us ^mthe ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹that is, in Christ God was reconciling³ the world to himself, ⁿnot counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us ^mthe message of reconciliation. ²⁰Therefore, ^owe are ambassadors for Christ, ^pGod making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.