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 I know, if this earthly tent of mine were struck, I have a mansion built by God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (aiōnios g166)

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

For in this tent I am groaning, earnestly longing to be under the cover of my heavenly habitation; if so be that being so covered,

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

I shall not be found naked.

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

For in this tent of mine I am groaning in deep trouble; not that I wish to be unclothed, but to be clothed upon, that what is mortal may be swallowed up in life.

5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing [is] God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

And He who has wrought me out for this very end is God, who has given me his Spirit as pledge.

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

Therefore I am always of good courage, because I well know that while I am at home in the body, I am in banishment from the Lord,

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

for I am walking by faith, not by sight.

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

So I have good courage, and am well pleased rather, to be in banishment from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

And for this reason I also make it home with the Lord.

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 hath done, whether [it be] good or bad.

For we must all be made manifest, in our true characters, before the Judgment-seat of Christ; so that each one may receive according to that which he has done in his body, whether good or evil.

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

So, because I know the fear of God, I "persuade men." What I am is manifest to God, and I hope manifest also to your conscience.

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

I am not "commending myself to you again," but I am giving you an occasion of boasting on my behalf, so that you may have an answer ready for those who boast in externals, and not in the heart.

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

For if I was "beside myself," it was to God; of if I am now "of sound mind," it is for you.

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

For the love of Christ overmasters me; because I thus judge that if One has died for all, then all have died;

15 And [that] he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

and that he died for all in order that the living may live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again for them.

16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we [him] no more.

Therefore henceforth I know no one simply as a man - even if I have known Christ as a man, yet now I 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.

So there is a new creation when any man is in Christ. The old life has passed away, behold, the new is come.

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

And all this is from God, who through Christ reconciled me to himself, and gave me the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

how that God was in Christ reconciling a world to himself, not reckoning to men their trespasses; and that to me he has entrusted the message of that 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 ye reconciled to God.

On Christ’s behalf, then, I come as ambassador. It is as though God was entreating you, through me, on Christ’s behalf I beg you to be reconciled to God.

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

Him who knew no sin, in our behalf he has made to be sin; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.