¹⁴ For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.^{(A) 15} And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves^(B) but for him who died for them^(C) and was raised again.

¹⁶ So from now on we regard no one from a worldly^(D) point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,^(E) the new creation^(F) has come:^[a] The old has gone, the new is here!^{(G) 18} All this is from God,^(H) who reconciled us to himself through Christ^(I) and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.^(J) And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,^(K) as though God were making his appeal through us.^(L) We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.^{(M) 21} God made him who had no sin^(N) to be sin^[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.^(O)

⁹ But you are a chosen people,^(A) a royal priesthood,^(B) a holy nation,^(C) God’s special possession,^(D) that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.^{(E) 10} Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God;^(F) once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society

¹¹ Dear friends,^(G) I urge you, as foreigners and exiles,^(H) to abstain from sinful desires,^(I) which wage war against your soul.^{(J) 12} Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds^(K) and glorify God^(L) on the day he visits us.

Suffering for Doing Good

⁸ Finally, all of you, be like-minded,^(A) be sympathetic, love one another,^(B) be compassionate and humble.^{(C) 9} Do not repay evil with evil^(D) or insult with insult.^(E) On the contrary, repay evil with blessing,^(F) because to this^(G) you were called^(H) so that you may inherit a blessing.^{(I) 10} For,

¹³ Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?^{(K) 14} But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.^(L) “Do not fear their threats^[b]; do not be frightened.”^{[c](M) 15} But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer^(N) to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope^(O) that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience,^(P) so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.^(Q)