2 Corinthians 5

1 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)

Now then, we know that though our earthly, tent-like ‘house’ may be destroyed, we have a building from God (not a handmade house), eternal in the heavens. (aiōnios g166)

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

Further, in this one we do groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly habitation;

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

since, obviously, once clothed we will not be found naked.

4 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.

Yes, being in this ‘tent’ is a burden, so we groan—not enough to want to strip, but to be really clothed; that what is mortal may be swallowed up by the Life.

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

Now it is God who has prepared us for this very purpose, who also has given us the down payment of the Spirit.

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

So we are always confident, even knowing that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord's home

7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

—we walk by faith, not by sight—

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

indeed, we are confident in preferring to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

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

Yes, that is why we make it our aim (whether at home or away from it) to be well pleasing to Him.

10 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.

Because we must all be exposed before Christ's Judgment Seat, that each one may receive his due for the things he did while in the body, whether good or bad.

11 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.

Therefore, since we know the Lord's intimidation, we try to convince people. We are well known to God, and I hope in your consciences as well.

12 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.

We are not commending ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity of boasting on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart.

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

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

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

For Christ's love impels us, having concluded this: if One died for all it follows that all died;

15 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.

and He died for all so that those who now live should no longer live for themselves but for the One who died for all and was raised again.

16 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.

So then, from now on we regard no one from a fleshly perspective—even if we have ‘known’ Christ in this way, we do so no longer—

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

so then, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old things have passed on; look, all has become new!

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

And that ‘all’ is from the God who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ and given us the ministry of the reconciliation,

19 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.

namely that in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, including committing to us the message of this reconciliation.

20 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.

So then, we are Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God!

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

Because He made the One who did not know sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become God's righteousness.