< 2 Corinthians 5 >
1 For we know that if the earthy house of this our tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, everlasting, in the heavens. (aiōnios )
2 For, indeed, in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be invested with our heavenly mansion.
3 And surely, being thus invested, we shall not be found naked.
4 For, indeed, we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not that we desire to be divested, but invested: that mortality may be swallowed up by life.
5 Now he who has wrought us up to this very desire, is God, who has also given us the earnest of the Spirit.
6 We are, therefore, always courageous; knowing that while at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (for we walk by faith, not by sight.)
8 We are courageous, indeed, and desirous rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
9 Therefore, also, we strive earnestly, whether at home, or from home, to be acceptable to him.
10 For we must all appear before the tribunal of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in the body, according to what has been done, whether good or evil.
11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; and are made manifest to God: and, I trust, are made manifest also to your consciences.
12 However, we do not again commend ourselves to you, but only give you occasion of boasting concerning us, that you may have an answer to them who boast in appearance, not in heart.
13 For, whether we be beside ourselves, it is for God; or whether we be sober, it is for you.
14 For the love of Christ constrains us, having judged thus-- that if one has died, certainly all have died;
15 and that he has died for all, that they who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who has died and rose again for them.
16 So that we, from this time forth, respect no man on account of the flesh: and even if we have esteemed Christ on account of the flesh, yet now we esteem him no more on that account.
17 For, if any one be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new!
18 And all these things of God, who has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us to the ministry of the reconciliation--
19 namely, that God was, by Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not counting to them their trespasses, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 We, therefore, execute the office of ambassadors for Christ, as of God beseeching you by us; we pray you, in 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 justified of God, by him.
