11 Because of that, having known the fear of the master, we are persuading people, but God sees what we’re doing, and I’m hoping that your consciences also see the same. 12 Again, we’re not trying to promote ourselves to you, but we’re giving you all an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can respond to those who take pride in outside appearances rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we’re being crazy, it’s to serve God, or if we’re being sensible, it’s for all of you, 14 because the messiah’s love controls us since we are convinced that he died for everyone. Hence we’ve all died 15 and he died for everyone, so that anyone who’s living, won’t be living for themselves any more, but for the one who died for them and then came back to life from the dead.

16 So from now on, we don’t just know people in the physical dimension, and even if we have known Messiah physically, that’s no longer how we know him. 17 So then if anyone is in Messiah, they’re a new creation—the old has gone, and wow, it’s now become new! 18 Everything is from God, the one who reconciled us to himself by Messiah and who has given the ministry of reconciliation to us. 19 God was in Messiah reconciling the world to himself, not listing their sins against them, and having given the message of reconciliation to us.

20 Because of that, we are ambassadors for Messiah, as though God is encouraging others through us, so we implore you for Messiah: Make your peace with God. 21 God took the one who hadn’t experienced sin and made him into sin for us so that in him, we could become not guilty in God’s sight.

6 Since we’re working together, we want to encourage you all not to accept God’s grace wastefully 2 [ref]because he said,

‘I listened to you at the right time,

and I helped you on the day when you were saved.’

Listen, today is the right time to ask. And listen again, today is the right day to get saved.

3 Don’t give anyone a reason to stumble, so that the ministry won’t be tarnished, 4 but as God’s servants we commend ourselves in every way—by great endurance when facing afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 [ref]beatings, imprisonments, riots, labours, sleepless nights, hunger, 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the holy spirit, genuine love, 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God. Hold the weapons of righteousness in both your right and left hands 8 whether in victory or dishonour, through bad reports and good reports, even if being called fakes (but being genuine). 9 We’re regarded as unknowns despite being well-known, considered to be dying off yet very much alive, being beaten but not yet being killed, 10 regarded as sad but always happy, as poor but making many people rich, as having nothing but possessing everything.

11 We’ve shared our thoughts with you all from Corinth and our hearts have been expanded. 12 You haven’t been restricted by us, but your own compassions restrict you all. 13 In return, you also should be expanded. (Yes, I know it’s like I’m talking to children.)