2 Corinthians 5

1 For we know that if our earthly house, which is but a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (aiōnios g166)

Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. (aiōnios g166)

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

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

3 since, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.

because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.

4 For we who are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened, not because we wish to be unclothed, but clothed upon, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

So while we are in this tent, we groan under our burdens, because we do not wish to be unclothed but clothed, so that our mortality may be swallowed up by life.

5 Now, he that has formed us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the earnest of the Spirit.

And God has prepared us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a pledge of what is to come.

6 Therefore, we are always confident, especially since we know that, while living in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

Therefore we are always confident, although we know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord.

7 for we walk by faith, not by sight:

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

8 we are confident, indeed, and would be pleased rather to depart from the body, and to dwell with the Lord.

We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

9 For this reason we also endeavor, whether we remain in the body or depart from it, to be acceptable to him.

So we aspire to please Him, whether we are here in this body or away from it.

10 For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that each may receive his reward for the things done in his body, according to what he has done, whether good or evil.

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

11 Knowing, then, the fearful judgment of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest to God. I hope, indeed, that we are also made manifest in your consciences.

Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well.

12 We do not again commend ourselves to you, but give you an occasion to boast of us, that you may be able to answer those who glory in appearance, and not in heart.

We are not commending ourselves to you again. Instead, we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who take pride in appearances rather than in the heart.

13 For if we be beside ourselves, it is for God; or, if we be of sound mind, it is for you.

If we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.

14 For the love of Christ constrains us, because we have this judgment―that if one died for all, then have all died:

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died.

15 and he died for all, that those who live should no more live for themselves, but for him who died for them, and rose again.

And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again.

16 So, then, we henceforth know no man according to the flesh; if, indeed, we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we no longer thus know him.

So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.

17 So, then, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!

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

All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

19 that is, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not charging their offenses to them, and he has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

20 Therefore, we act as ambassadors for Christ, as though God entreated through us; we beseech in Christ’s stead, be reconciled to God:

Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.

21 for he has made him, who knew no sin, a sin-offering for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

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