2 Corinthians 5

1 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)

For we know that if our tent – that earthly body which is now our home – is taken down, we have a house of God’s building, a home not made by hands, imperishable, in heaven. (aiōnios g166)

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

Even while in our present body we sigh, longing to put over it our heavenly house,

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

sure that, when we have put it on, we will never be found naked.

4 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.

For we who are in this tent sigh under our burden, unwilling to take it off, yet wishing to put our heavenly body over it, so that all that is mortal may be absorbed in life.

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

And he who has prepared us for this change is God, who has also given us his Spirit as a pledge.

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

Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, while our home is in the body, we are absent from our home with the Lord.

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

For we guide our lives by faith, and not by what we see.

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

And in this confidence we would gladly leave our home in the body, and make our home with the Lord.

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

Therefore, whether in our home or absent from our home, our one ambition is to please him.

10 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.

For at the court of the Christ we must all appear in our true characters, so that each may reap the results of the life which he has lived in the body, in accordance with his actions – whether good or worthless.

11 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.

Therefore, because we know the fear inspired by the Lord, it is true that we are trying to win people over, but our motives are plain to God; and I hope that in your inmost hearts they are plain to you also.

12 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.

We are not “commending ourselves” again to you, but rather are giving you cause for pride in us, so that you may have an answer ready for those who pride themselves on appearances and not on character.

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

For, if we were “beside ourselves,” it was in God’s service! If we are not in our senses, it is in yours!

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

It is the love of the Christ which compels us, when we reflect that, as one died for all, therefore all died;

15 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.

and that he died for all, so that the living should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died and rose for them.

16 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.

For ourselves, then, from this time forward, we refuse to regard anyone from the world’s standpoint. Even if we once thought of Christ from the standpoint of the world, yet now we do so no longer.

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

Therefore, if anyone is in union with Christ, he is a new being! His old life has passed away; a new life has begun!

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

But all this is the work of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation –

19 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.

To proclaim that God, in Christ, was reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning people’s offenses against them, and that he had entrusted us with the message of this reconciliation.

20 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.

It is, then, on Christ’s behalf that we are acting as ambassadors, God, as it were, appealing to you through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf – Be reconciled to God.

21 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.

For our sake God made Christ, who was innocent of sin, one with our sinfulness, so that in him we might be made one with the righteousness of God.