2 Corinthians 5

1 For we know that, if our earthly tent-habitation be destroyed, we have a building provided by God, a house not made with hands, everlasting, in the heavens. (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 while in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our habitation which is from heaven;

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

3 since, indeed, when we have put off our present garment, we shall not be found naked.

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

4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened; inasmuch as we do not desire to be unclothed, but to be clothed upon, that 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 Now he that hath prepared us for this very thing is God; who also gave to us the Spirit as the pledge.

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

6 We have courage, therefore, always, and know that while we are at home in the body, we are absent 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; but we have courage,

—we walk by faith, not by sight—

8 and are well pleased rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

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

9 Wherefore we also strive that, whether at home or absent, we may be approved by him.

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 be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in his body, according to what he did, 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 Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men; but to God we have been made manifest, and I hope have been made manifest in your consciences also.

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 For we are not again commending ourselves to you, but giving you occasion to glory on our behalf; that ye may have somewhat to answer those who glory in outward appearance, and not in 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 For whether we were beside ourselves, it was for God; or whether we are in our 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 the love of Christ constraineth us, because we thus judged, that if one died for all, then 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 they who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who died for their sakes, and rose 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 that we henceforth know no one according to the flesh; and if we have even known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we no longer know him.

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 any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

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

18 And all things are from God, who reconciled us to himself by Christ, and gave to 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 seeing that in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word 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 We then are ambassadors for Christ; as though God were exhorting you by us, in behalf of Christ we entreat you, 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 Him, who knew not sin, he made sin for us, that we might become God's righteousness in him.

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.