2 Corinthians 5:7-21

English Standard Version

⁷for ^(A)we walk by faith, not ^(B)by sight. ⁸Yes, we are of good courage, and we ^(C)would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. ⁹So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to ^(D)please him. ¹⁰For ^(E)we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, ^(F)so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

¹¹Therefore, knowing ^(G)the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But ^(H)what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. ¹²^(I)We are not commending ourselves to you again but ^(J)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. ¹³For if we ^(K)are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. ¹⁴For the love of Christ ^(L)controls us, because we have concluded this: that ^(M)one has died for all, therefore all have died; ¹⁵and he died for all, ^(N)that those who live might no longer live for themselves but ^(O)for him who for their sake died and was raised.

¹⁶From now on, therefore, ^(P)we 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 ^(Q)in Christ, he is ^(R)a new creation.^[a] ^(S)The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. ¹⁸All this is from God, ^(T)who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us ^(U)the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹that is, in Christ God was reconciling^[b] the world to himself, ^(V)not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us ^(W)the message of reconciliation. ²⁰Therefore, ^(X)we are ambassadors for Christ, ^(Y)God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. ²¹^(Z)For our sake he made him to be sin ^(AA)who knew no sin, so that in him we might become ^(AB)the righteousness of God.