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.

1. We know that when our earthly dwelling, or rather our tent, is destroyed, we may count on a building from God, a heavenly dwelling not built by human hands, that lasts forever.

2. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

2. Therefore we long and groan: Why may we not put on this heavenly dwelling over that which we have?

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

3. (Indeed, are we sure that we shall still be wearing our earthly dwelling and not be unclothed?)

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.

4. As long as we are in the field-tent, we indeed moan our unbearable fate for we do not want this clothing to be removed from us; we would rather put the other over it, that the mortal body may be absorbed by true 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.

5. This is God's purpose for us, and he has given us the Spirit as a pledge of what we are to receive.

6. Therefore [we are] always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

6. So we feel confident always. We know that while living in the body, we wander away from the Lord,

7. (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

7. living by faith, without seeing;

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

8. but we dare to think that we would rather be away from the body to go and live with the Lord.

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

9. So, whether we have to keep this house or lose it, we only wish to please the Lord.

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.

10. Anyway we all have to appear before the tribunal of Christ for each one to receive what he deserves for his good or evil deeds in the present life.

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.

11. So we know the fear of the Lord and we try to convince people while we live openly before God. And I trust that you know in your conscience what we truly are.

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.

12. Once more, we do not try to win your esteem; we want to give you a reason to feel proud of us, that you may respond to those who heed appearances and not the reality.

13. For whether we be beside ourselves, [it is] to God: or whether we be sober, [it is] for your cause.

13. Now, if I have spoken foolishly, let God alone hear; if what I have said makes sense, take it for yourselves.

14. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

14. Indeed the love of Christ holds us and we realize that if he died for all, all have 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.

15. He died for all so that those who live may live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and rose again 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.

16. And so from now on, we do not regard anyone from a human point of view; and even if we once knew Christ personally, we should now regard him in another way.

17. Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

17. For that same reason, the one who is in Christ is a new creature. For him the old things have passed away; a new world has come.

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;

18. All this is the work of God who in Christ reconciled us to himself, and who entrusted to 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.

19. Because in Christ God reconciled the world with himself, no longer taking into account their trespasses and entrusting to us the message of 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.

20. So we present ourselves as ambassadors in the name of Christ, as if God himself makes an appeal to you through us. Let God reconcile you; this we ask you in the name of Christ.

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.

21. He had no sin, but God made him bear our sin, so that in him we might share the holiness of God.