2 Corinthians 5

1 For we know that if this poor tent, our earthly house, is taken down, we have in Heaven a building which God has provided, a house not built by human hands, but eternal. (aiōnios g166)

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 g166)

2 For in this one we sigh, because we long to put on over it our dwelling which comes from Heaven--

For, indeed, in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be invested with our heavenly mansion.

3 if indeed having really put on a robe we shall not be found to be unclothed.

And surely, being thus invested, we shall not be found naked.

4 Yes, we who are in this tent certainly do sigh under our burdens, for we do not wish to lay aside that with which we are now clothed, but to put on more, so that our mortality may be absorbed in Life.

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 And He who formed us with this very end in view is God, who has given us His Spirit as a pledge and foretaste of that bliss.

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 have therefore a cheerful confidence. We know that while we are at home in the body we are banished from the Lord;

We are, therefore, always courageous; knowing that while at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

7 for we are living a life of faith, and not one of sight.

(for we walk by faith, not by sight.)

8 So we have a cheerful confidence, and we anticipate with greater delight being banished from the body and going home to the Lord.

We are courageous, indeed, and desirous rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

9 And for this reason also we make it our ambition, whether at home or in exile, to please Him perfectly.

Therefore, also, we strive earnestly, whether at home, or from home, to be acceptable to him.

10 For we must all of us appear before Christ's judgement-seat in our true characters, in order that each may then receive an award for his actions in this life, in accordance with what he has done, whether it be good or whether it be worthless.

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 Therefore, because we realize how greatly the Lord is to be feared, we are endeavouring to win men over, and God recognizes what our motives are, and I hope that you, in your hearts, recognize them too.

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 We are not again commending ourselves to your favour, but are furnishing you with a ground of boasting on our behalf, so that you may have a reply ready for those with whom superficial appearances are everything and sincerity of heart counts for nothing.

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 if we have been beside ourselves, it has been for God's glory; or if we are now in our right senses, it is in order to be of service to you.

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 overmasters us, the conclusion at which we have arrived being this--that One having died for all, His death was their death,

For the love of Christ constrains us, having judged thus-- that if one has died, certainly all have died;

15 and that He died for all in order that the living may no longer live to themselves, but to Him who died for them and rose again.

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 Therefore for the future we know no one simply as a man. Even if we have known Christ as a man, yet now we do so no longer.

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 So that if any one is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old state of things has passed away; a new state of things has come into existence.

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 this is from God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and has appointed us to serve in the ministry of reconciliation.

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 We are to tell how God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not charging men's transgressions to their account, and that He has entrusted to us the Message of this reconciliation.

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 On Christ's behalf therefore we come as ambassadors, God, as it were, making entreaty through our lips: we, on Christ's behalf, beseech men to be reconciled to God.

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 He has made Him who knew nothing of sin to be sin for us, in order that in Him we may become the righteousness of God.

For he has made him, who knew no sin, a sin-offering for us; that we might become the justified of God, by him.