2 Corinthians 5

1 For we know that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal 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 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

Even while in our present body we sigh, longing to put over it our heavenly dwelling,

3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.

sure that, when we have put it on, we shall never be found discarnate.

4 For we that are in [this] tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of 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 the selfsame thing [is] God, who also 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 Therefore [we are] always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent 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 (For we walk by faith, not by sight: )

For we guide our lives by faith, and not by what we see.

8 We are confident, [I say], and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

And in this confidence we would gladly leave our home in the body, and make our home with the Lord.

9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

Therefore, whether in our home or absent from our home, our one ambition is to please him.

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad.

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 therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

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 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to [answer] them which glory in appearance, 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 be beside ourselves, [it is] to God: or whether we be sober, [it is] for your cause.

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 Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

It is the love of the Christ which compels us, when we reflect that, as one died for all, therefore all died;

15 And [that] he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, 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 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we [him] no more.

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 Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are 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 And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

But all this is the work of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave us the Ministry of Reconciliation —

19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

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 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to 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 For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God 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.