11 Knowing, therefore, k the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences. 12 For l we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity m to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. 13 For n if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that o if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, p that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
16 q Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, r yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone s is in Christ, he is t a new creation; u old things have passed away; behold, all things have become v new. 18 Now all things are of God, w who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that x God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not 1 imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are y ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For z He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become a the righteousness of God in Him.
1 We then, as a workers together with Him also b plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
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For He says:
c "In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you." 2
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
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d We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.
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But in all things we commend ourselves e as ministers of God: in much 3 patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,
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f in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings;
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by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by 4 sincere love,
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g by the word of truth, by h the power of God, by i the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
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by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;
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as unknown, and j yet well known; k as dying, and behold we live; l as chastened, and yet not killed;
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as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many m rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
11 O Corinthians! 5 We have spoken openly to you, n our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but o you are restricted by your own affections. 13 Now in return for the same p (I speak as to children), you also be open.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.