2 Corinthians 5

1 We know that when this earthly “tent” we live in is taken down, we have a house prepared by God, not made by human hands. It is eternal and is in heaven. (aiōnios g166)

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (aiōnios g166)

2 We sigh with longing for this, wanting so badly to be clothed with this new heavenly home.

For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed on with our house which is from heaven:

3 When we put on this clothing we won't be seen naked.

If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.

4 While we are in this “tent” we sigh, being weighed down by this life. It's not so much that we want to take off the clothing of this life but that we look forward to what we shall be clothed with, so that what is mortal may be overwhelmed by life.

For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed on, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

5 It's God himself who prepared us for all this, and who provided the Spirit as a guarantee to us.

Now he that has worked us for the selfsame thing is God, who also has given to us the earnest of the Spirit.

6 So we remain confident, knowing that while we are at home here in our physical bodies, we are away from the Lord.

Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

7 (For we live by trusting in God, not by seeing him.)

(For we walk by faith, not by sight: )

8 As I say, we are confident, wanting to be away from the body so we can be at home with the Lord.

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

9 That's why our goal, whether home here in our bodies or not, is to make sure we please him.

Why we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

10 For all of us must appear before Christ's seat of judgment. Each of us will receive what we deserve for what we have done in this life, whether it is good or bad.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he has done, whether it be good or bad.

11 Knowing how we are in awe of the Lord, we try to convince others. It's clear to God what we are, and I hope that it's clear to your minds too.

Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest to God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

12 We are not trying to speak well of ourselves again, just trying to give you the opportunity to be proud of us, so you can answer those who are proud of outward show and not what they are inside.

For we commend not ourselves again to you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that you may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.

13 If we are “crazy people,” it's for God. If we make good sense, it's for you.

For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

14 Christ's love urges us on, because we're absolutely sure that he died for everyone, and so everyone died.

For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

15 Christ died for everyone so that they shouldn't live any longer for themselves, but for him who died and rose again for them.

And that he died for all, that they which live should not from now on live to themselves, but to him which died for them, and rose again.

16 From now on we don't look at anyone from a human point of view. Even though we once viewed Christ this way, we don't do so any longer.

Why from now on know we no man after the flesh: yes, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now from now on know we him no more.

17 That's why anyone who is in Christ is a new being—what was old is gone, the new has come!

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

18 God did all this by changing us from enemies into friends through Christ. God gave us this same work of changing his enemies into his friends.

And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 For God was in Christ bringing the world back from hostility to friendship with him, not counting anyone's sins against them, and giving us this message to change his enemies into his friends.

To wit, 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.

20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God is pleading through us: “Please, won't you come back and be God's friend?”

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be you reconciled to God.

21 God made Jesus, who never personally sinned, experience the consequences of sin so that we could have a character that is good and right just as God is good and right.

For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.