2 Corinthians 5
1 For we know that—if, our earthly tent-dwelling, should be taken down, we have, a building of God, a dwelling not made by hand, age-abiding in the heavens. (aiōnios g166)
For we know that if our tent — that earthly body which is now our home — is taken down, we have a house of God’s building, a home not made by hands, imperishable, in Heaven. (aiōnios g166)
2 And verily, in this, we sigh, earnestly desiring to clothe ourselves over, with our habitation which is of heaven, —
Even while in our present body we sigh, longing to put over it our heavenly dwelling,
3 Although, indeed, even clothing ourselves, we shall not be found, naked; —
sure that, when we have put it on, we shall never be found discarnate.
4 And verily, we who are in the tent, do sigh, being weighed down, while yet we are not wishing to unclothe ourselves, but to clothe ourselves over, —in order that, what is mortal, may be swallowed up, by life.
For we who are in this ‘tent’ sigh under our burden, unwilling to take it off, yet wishing to put our heavenly body over it, so that all that is mortal may be absorbed in Life.
5 Now, he that hath wrought us for this very thing, is, God, —who hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit,
And he who has prepared us for this change is God, who has also given us his Spirit as a pledge.
6 Having good courage, therefore, at all times, and knowing that—remaining at home in the body, we are away from home from the Lord, —
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, while our home is in the body, we are absent from our home with the Lord.
7 By faith, are we walking, not by sight; —
For we guide our lives by faith, and not by what we see.
8 We have good courage, however, and are well pleased—rather to be away from home, out of the body, and to come home, unto the Lord.
And in this confidence we would gladly leave our home in the body, and make our home with the Lord.
9 Wherefore also we are ambitious—whether at home, or away from home, to be, well-pleasing unto him.
Therefore, whether in our home or absent from our home, our one ambition is to please him.
10 For, we all, must needs be made manifest before the judgment seat of the Christ, that each one may get back the things done by means of the body, according to the things which he practised, whether good or corrupt.
For at the Bar of the Christ we must all appear in our true characters, that each may reap the results of the life which he has lived in the body, in accordance with his actions — whether good or worthless.
11 Knowing, then, the fear of the Lord, we persuade, men, but, unto God, are manifest, —I hope, moreover, even in your consciences, that we are manifest:
Therefore, because we know the fear inspired by the Lord, it is true that we are trying to win men, but our motives are plain to God; and I hope that in your inmost hearts they are plain to you also.
12 Not again, ourselves, do we commend unto you, but as though an occasion we were giving unto you—something to boast of, in our behalf; that ye may have something suited unto them who, in appearance, are boasting, and not in heart.
We are not “commending ourselves” again to you, but rather are giving you cause for pride in us, so that you may have an answer ready for those who pride themselves on appearances and not on character.
13 For, whether we have been beside ourselves, it hath been for God, or, whether we are sober-minded, it is for you.
For, if we were “beside ourselves,” it was in God’s service! If we are not in our senses, it is in yours!
14 For, the love of the Christ, constraineth us; —
It is the love of the Christ which compels us, when we reflect that, as one died for all, therefore all died;
15 Having judged this, —that, one, in behalf of all, died, hence, they all, died; and, in behalf of all, died he, —in order that, they who live, no longer for themselves, should live, but for him who, in their behalf, died and rose again.
and that he died for all, so that the living should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died and rose for them.
16 So that, we, henceforth, know, no one, after the flesh: if we have even been gaining, after the flesh, a knowledge of Christ,
For ourselves, then, from this time forward, we refuse to regard any one from the world’s standpoint. Even if we once thought of Christ from the standpoint of the world, yet now we do so no longer.
17 On the contrary, now, no longer, are we gaining it. So that, if any one is in Christ, there is a new creation! the old things, have passed away, —Lo! they have become new!
Therefore, if any one is in union with Christ, he is a new being! His old life has passed away; a new life has begun!
18 The all things, moreover, are of God, —who hath reconciled us unto himself, through Christ, and hath given, unto us, the reconciling ministry: —
But all this is the work of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave us the Ministry of Reconciliation —
19 How that, God, was in Christ, reconciling, a world, unto himself, not reckoning, unto them, their offences, —and hath put, in us, the reconciling discourse.
To proclaim that God, in Christ, was reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning men’s offences against them, and that he had entrusted us with the Message of this reconciliation.
20 In behalf of Christ, therefore, are we ambassadors, —as if God were beseeching through us: we entreat, in behalf of Christ, —be reconciled unto God!
It is, then, on Christ’s behalf that we are acting as ambassadors, God, as it were, appealing to you through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf — Be reconciled to God.
21 Him who knew not sin, in our behalf, he made to be, sin, that we might become God’s righteousness in him.
Him who never knew sin God made to be Sin, on our behalf; so that we, through union with him, might become the Righteousness of God.
