Liturgy Gospel
Paulines Epistle
Paul, the servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed to the Gospel of God.
A reading from the Epistle of our teacher Paul to the Corinthians .
May his blessings be upon us.
Amen.
2 Corinthians 5 : 11 - 21
Chapter 5
| 11 | Knowing, therefore, 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.
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| 12 | For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart.
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| 13 | For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you.
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| 14 | For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;
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| 15 | and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
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| 16 | Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.
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| 17 | Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
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| 18 | Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
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| 19 | that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
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| 20 | Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
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| 21 | For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
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2 Corinthians 6 : 1 - 13
Chapter 6
| 1 | We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
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| 2 | For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
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| 3 | We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.
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| 4 | But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,
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| 5 | in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings;
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| 6 | by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,
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| 7 | by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
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| 8 | by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;
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| 9 | as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed;
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| 10 | as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
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| 11 | O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open.
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| 12 | You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.
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| 13 | Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.
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The grace of God the Father be with you all.
Amen.
