2 Corinthians 5

1 For we have known that if our earthly house of the tabernacle may be thrown down, a building from God we have, an house not made with hands — age-during — in the heavens, (aiōnios g166)

We know that if the earthly dwelling that we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God. It is a house not made by human hands, but an eternal house, in heaven. (aiōnios g166)

2 for also in this we groan, with our dwelling that is from heaven earnestly desiring to clothe ourselves,

For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling.

3 if so be that, having clothed ourselves, we shall not be found naked,

We long for this because by putting it on we will not be found to be naked.

4 for we also who are in the tabernacle do groan, being burdened, seeing we wish not to unclothe ourselves, but to clothe ourselves, that the mortal may be swallowed up of the life.

For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened. We do not want to be unclothed. Instead, we want to be clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

5 And He who did work us to this self-same thing [is] God, who also did give to us the earnest of the Spirit;

The one who prepared us for this very thing is God, who gave us the Spirit as a guarantee of what is to come.

6 having courage, then, at all times, and knowing that being at home in the body, we are away from home from the Lord, —

Therefore always be confident. Be aware that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord.

7 for through faith we walk, not through sight —

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

8 we have courage, and are well pleased rather to be away from the home of the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

So we have confidence. We would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

9 Wherefore also we are ambitious, whether at home or away from home, to be well pleasing to him,

So we make it our goal, whether we are at home or away, to please him.

10 for all of us it behoveth to be manifested before the tribunal of the Christ, that each one may receive the things [done] through the body, in reference to the things that he did, whether good or evil;

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for the things done in the body, whether for good or for bad.

11 having known, therefore, the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, and to God we are manifested, and I hope also in your consciences to have been manifested;

Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade people. What we are is clearly seen by God. I expect that it is also clear to your conscience.

12 for not again ourselves do we recommend to you, but we are giving occasion to you of glorifying in our behalf, that ye may have [something] in reference to those glorifying in face and not in heart;

We are not trying to persuade you again to view us as sincere. Instead, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you may have an answer for those who boast about appearances but not about what is in the heart.

13 for whether we were beside ourselves, [it was] to God; whether we be of sound mind — [it is] to you,

For if we are out of our minds, it is for God; and if we are in our right minds, it is for your sake.

14 for the love of the Christ doth constrain us, having judged thus: that if one for all died, then the whole died,

For the love of Christ compels us, because we are certain of this: That one person died for all, and that therefore all have died.

15 and for all he died, that those living, no more to themselves may live, but to him who died for them, and was raised again.

He died for all, so that those who live should live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

16 So that we henceforth have known no one according to the flesh, and even if we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him no more;

For this reason, from now on we do not judge anyone according to human standards, even though we once regarded Christ in this way. But now we do not judge anyone in this way any longer.

17 so that if any one [is] in Christ — [he is] a new creature; the old things did pass away, lo, become new have the all things.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. See, they have become new.

18 And the all things [are] of God, who reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and did give to us the ministration of the reconciliation,

All these things are from God. He reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

19 how that God was in Christ — a world reconciling to Himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses; and having put in us the word of the reconciliation,

That is, in Christ God is reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them. He is entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

20 in behalf of Christ, then, we are ambassadors, as if God were calling through us, we beseech, in behalf of Christ, 'Be ye reconciled to God;'

So we are appointed as representatives of Christ, as though God were making his appeal through us. We plead with you, for the sake of Christ: “Be reconciled to God!”

21 for him who did not know sin, in our behalf He did make sin, that we may become the righteousness of God in him.

He made Christ become the sacrifice for our sin. He is the one who never sinned. He did this so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.