2 Corinthians 5:11-21

New American Standard Bible

¹¹ Therefore, knowing the ^(A)fear of the Lord, we persuade people, but we are well known to God; and I hope that we are also ^(B)well known in your consciences. ¹² We are not commending ourselves to you ^(C)again, but are giving you an ^(D)opportunity to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart. ¹³ For if we have ^(E)lost our minds, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. ¹⁴ For the love of Christ ^(F)controls us, having concluded this, that ^(G)one died for all, therefore all died; ¹⁵ and He died for all, so that those who live would no longer ^(H)live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf.

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

²⁰ Therefore, we are ^(R)ambassadors for Christ, ^(S)as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be ^(T)reconciled to God. ²¹ He made Him who ^(U)knew no sin to be ^[e](V)sin in our behalf, so that we might become the ^(W)righteousness of God in Him.