| In other words, God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, and not holding people’s transgressions against them, and he committed to us the message of reconciliation. | That God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. |
| Rather, be kind to one another and compassionate, and forgive one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. | Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. |
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| Bear with one another, and forgive one another if anyone has reason to be offended with another. You must forgive just as the Lord has forgiven you. | Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. |
| If your brother wrongs you, go and take up the matter with him when the two of you are alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. | If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. |
| Repent, therefore, and be converted so that your sins may be wiped away. | Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. |
| For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more certain it is that, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. | For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! |
| Seek peace with everyone, as well as the holiness without which no one will ever see the Lord. | Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. |
| This is what love is: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins. | This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. |
| Help us, O God, our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and wipe away our sins for your name’s sake. | Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake. |
| He is himself the sacrifice for our sins— and not only for our sins but also for the sins of the whole world. | He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. |
| All this has been done by God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and entrusted us with the ministry of reconciliation. | All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. |
