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2 Corinthians 5-9
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

5 For we know that, if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.(A) 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to be further clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3 for surely when we have been clothed in it[a] we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan under our burden because we wish not to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.(B) 5 The one who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a down payment.(C)

6 So we are always confident, even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord— 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.(D) 8 Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him. 10 For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive due recompense for actions done in the body, whether good or evil.(E)

The Ministry of Reconciliation

11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade people, but we ourselves are well known to God, and I hope that we are also well known to your consciences.(F) 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you an opportunity to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast in outward appearance and not in the heart.(G) 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.(H) 14 For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died.(I) 15 And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for the one who for their sake died and was raised.

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view;[b] even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view,[c] we no longer know him in that way.(J) 17 So if anyone is in Christ, there[d] is a new creation: everything old has passed away; look, new things have come into being![e](K) 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation;(L) 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself,[f] not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.(M) 20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ: be reconciled to God.(N) 21 For our sake God made the one who knew no sin to be sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.(O)

6 As we work together with him,[g] we entreat you also not to accept the grace of God in vain.(P) 2 For he says,

“At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
    and on a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Look, now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation!(Q) 3 We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry,(R) 4 but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: in great endurance, afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger;(S) 6 in purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, 7 truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;(T) 8 in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors and yet are true, 9 as unknown and yet are well known, as dying and look—we are alive, as punished and yet not killed,(U) 10 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing everything.

11 We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. 12 There is no restriction in our affections but only in yours. 13 In return—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also.(V)

The Temple of the Living God

14 Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and lawlessness have in common? Or what partnership is there between light and darkness?(W) 15 What agreement does Christ have with Beliar? Or what does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we[h] are the temple of the living God, as God said,

“I will live in them[i] and walk among them,
    and I will be their God,
    and they shall be my people.(X)
17 Therefore come out from them,
    and be separate from them, says the Lord,
and touch nothing unclean;
    then I will welcome you,(Y)
18 and I will be your father,
    and you shall be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”(Z)

7 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and of spirit, making holiness perfect in the fear of God.(AA)

Paul’s Joy at the Church’s Repentance

2 Make room in your hearts[j] for us; we have wronged no one; we have corrupted no one; we have taken advantage of no one.(AB) 3 I do not say this to condemn you, for I have already said that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.(AC) 4 I am being completely frank with you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with consolation; I am overjoyed in all our affliction.(AD)

5 For even when we came into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted in every way—disputes without and fears within.(AE) 6 But God, who consoles the downcast, consoled us by the arrival of Titus,(AF) 7 and not only by his arrival but also by the consolation with which he was consoled about you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more. 8 For although I grieved you with my letter, I do not regret it. Although I did regret it (for[k] I see that that letter caused you grief, though only briefly), 9 now I rejoice, not because you were grieved but because your grief led to repentance, for you felt a godly grief, so that you were not harmed in any way by us. 10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death.(AG) 11 For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves guiltless in the matter. 12 So although I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong nor on account of the one who suffered the wrong but in order that your zeal for us might be made known to you before God.(AH) 13 In this we have found consolation.

In addition to our own consolation, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his mind has been set at rest by all of you.(AI) 14 For if I have been somewhat boastful about you to him, I was not put to shame, but just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting to Titus has proved true as well.(AJ) 15 And his heart goes out all the more to you, as he remembers the obedience of all of you and how you welcomed him with fear and trembling.(AK) 16 I rejoice because I have complete confidence in you.(AL)

Encouragement to Be Generous

8 We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that has been granted to the churches of Macedonia, 2 for during a severe ordeal of affliction their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For, as I can testify, they voluntarily gave according to their means and even beyond their means, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor[l] of partnering in this ministry to the saints,(AM) 5 and not as we expected. Instead, they gave themselves first to the Lord and, by the will of God, to us, 6 so that we might urge Titus that, as he had already made a beginning, so he should also complete this generous undertaking[m] among you.(AN) 7 Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you[n]—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.[o](AO)

8 I do not say this as a command, but I am, by mentioning the eagerness of others, testing the genuineness of your love.(AP) 9 For you know the generous act[p] of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.(AQ) 10 And in this matter I am giving my opinion: it is beneficial for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something.(AR) 11 Now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means.(AS) 12 For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.(AT) 13 For I do not mean that there should be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality between 14 your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may also supply your need, in order that there may be equality. 15 As it is written,

“The one who had much did not have too much,
    and the one who had little did not have too little.”(AU)

Commendation of Titus

16 But thanks be to God, who put in the heart of Titus the same eagerness for you that I myself have. 17 For he not only accepted our appeal, but since he is more eager than ever, he is going to you of his own accord. 18 With him we are sending the brother who is praised among all the churches for his work for the gospel,(AV) 19 and not only that, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us while we are administering this generous undertaking[q] for the glory of the Lord himself[r] and to show our goodwill.(AW) 20 We are making this arrangement lest anyone blame us about this generous gift that we are administering, 21 for we are setting our minds on what is right not only before the Lord but also before the people.(AX) 22 And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found eager in many matters but who is now more eager than ever because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and coworker in your service; as for our brothers, they are messengers[s] of the churches, the glory of Christ.(AY) 24 Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you to them.(AZ)

The Collection for Christians at Jerusalem

9 Now it is not necessary for me to write you about the ministry to the saints, 2 for I know your eagerness, which is the subject of my boasting about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them.(BA) 3 But I am sending[t] the brothers in order that our boasting about you may not prove to have been empty in this case, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be;(BB) 4 otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be put to shame—to say nothing of you—in this undertaking.[u] 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for this bountiful gift that you have promised, so that it may be ready as a bountiful gift and not as an extortion.

6 The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.(BC) 7 Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not regretfully or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.(BD) 8 And God is able to provide you with every blessing[v] in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.(BE) 9 As it is written,

“He scatters abroad; he gives to the poor;
    his righteousness[w] endures forever.”(BF)

10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.[x] 11 You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us, 12 for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. 13 Through the testing of this ministry you[y] glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your partnership with them and with all others,(BG) 14 while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!(BH)

Footnotes

  1. 5.3 Other ancient authorities read taken it off
  2. 5.16 Gk according to the flesh
  3. 5.16 Gk according to the flesh
  4. 5.17 Or that person
  5. 5.17 Other ancient authorities read everything has become new
  6. 5.19 Or God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself
  7. 6.1 Gk As we work together
  8. 6.16 Other ancient authorities read you
  9. 6.16 Or in their midst
  10. 7.2 Gk lacks in your hearts
  11. 7.8 Other ancient witnesses lack for
  12. 8.4 Gk grace or gift
  13. 8.6 Gk this grace or gift
  14. 8.7 Other ancient authorities read your love for us
  15. 8.7 Gk this grace or gift
  16. 8.9 Gk the grace or gift
  17. 8.19 Gk this grace or gift
  18. 8.19 Other ancient authorities lack himself
  19. 8.23 Gk apostles
  20. 9.3 Or I have sent
  21. 9.4 Other ancient authorities add of boasting
  22. 9.8 Gk gift or grace
  23. 9.9 Or benevolence
  24. 9.10 Or benevolence
  25. 9.13 Or they
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2 Corinthians 5-9
New International Version

Awaiting the New Body

5 For we know that if the earthly(A) tent(B) we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan,(C) longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,(D) 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan(E) and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,(F) so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.(G)

6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight.(H) 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.(I) 9 So we make it our goal to please him,(J) whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us(K) for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord,(L) we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.(M) 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again,(N) but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us,(O) so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we are “out of our mind,”(P) as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.(Q) 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves(R) but for him who died for them(S) and was raised again.

16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly(T) point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,(U) the new creation(V) has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!(W) 18 All this is from God,(X) who reconciled us to himself through Christ(Y) and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.(Z) And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,(AA) as though God were making his appeal through us.(AB) We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.(AC) 21 God made him who had no sin(AD) to be sin[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.(AE)

6 As God’s co-workers(AF) we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.(AG) 2 For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,
    and in the day of salvation I helped you.”[c](AH)

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

Paul’s Hardships

3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path,(AI) so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments(AJ) and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;(AK) 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit(AL) and in sincere love;(AM) 7 in truthful speech(AN) and in the power of God;(AO) with weapons of righteousness(AP) in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor,(AQ) bad report(AR) and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;(AS) 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying,(AT) and yet we live on;(AU) beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;(AV) poor, yet making many rich;(AW) having nothing,(AX) and yet possessing everything.(AY)

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.(AZ) 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children(BA)—open wide your hearts(BB) also.

Warning Against Idolatry

14 Do not be yoked together(BC) with unbelievers.(BD) For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?(BE) 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[d]?(BF) Or what does a believer(BG) have in common with an unbeliever?(BH) 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?(BI) For we are the temple(BJ) of the living God.(BK) As God has said:

“I will live with them
    and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.”[e](BL)

17 Therefore,

“Come out from them(BM)
    and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
    and I will receive you.”[f](BN)

18 And,

“I will be a Father to you,
    and you will be my sons and daughters,(BO)
says the Lord Almighty.”[g](BP)

7 Therefore, since we have these promises,(BQ) dear friends,(BR) let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness(BS) out of reverence for God.

Paul’s Joy Over the Church’s Repentance

2 Make room for us in your hearts.(BT) We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts(BU) that we would live or die with you. 4 I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you.(BV) I am greatly encouraged;(BW) in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.(BX)

5 For when we came into Macedonia,(BY) we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn(BZ)—conflicts on the outside, fears within.(CA) 6 But God, who comforts the downcast,(CB) comforted us by the coming of Titus,(CC) 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter,(CD) I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation(CE) and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern,(CF) what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12 So even though I wrote to you,(CG) it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong(CH) nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. 13 By all this we are encouraged.

In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus(CI) was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. 14 I had boasted to him about you,(CJ) and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus(CK) has proved to be true as well. 15 And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient,(CL) receiving him with fear and trembling.(CM) 16 I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.(CN)

The Collection for the Lord’s People

8 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian(CO) churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.(CP) 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able,(CQ) and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing(CR) in this service(CS) to the Lord’s people.(CT) 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 6 So we urged(CU) Titus,(CV) just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion(CW) this act of grace on your part. 7 But since you excel in everything(CX)—in faith, in speech, in knowledge,(CY) in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you[h]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

8 I am not commanding you,(CZ) but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace(DA) of our Lord Jesus Christ,(DB) that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor,(DC) so that you through his poverty might become rich.(DD)

10 And here is my judgment(DE) about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.(DF) 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness(DG) to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has,(DH) not according to what one does not have.

13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need,(DI) so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”[i](DJ)

Titus Sent to Receive the Collection

16 Thanks be to God,(DK) who put into the heart(DL) of Titus(DM) the same concern I have for you. 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.(DN) 18 And we are sending along with him the brother(DO) who is praised by all the churches(DP) for his service to the gospel.(DQ) 19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us(DR) as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.(DS) 20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.(DT)

22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus,(DU) he is my partner(DV) and co-worker(DW) among you; as for our brothers,(DX) they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. 24 Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you,(DY) so that the churches can see it.

9 There is no need(DZ) for me to write to you about this service(EA) to the Lord’s people.(EB) 2 For I know your eagerness to help,(EC) and I have been boasting(ED) about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year(EE) you in Achaia(EF) were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. 3 But I am sending the brothers(EG) in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be.(EH) 4 For if any Macedonians(EI) come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers(EJ) to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift,(EK) not as one grudgingly given.(EL)

Generosity Encouraged

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.(EM) 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give,(EN) not reluctantly or under compulsion,(EO) for God loves a cheerful giver.(EP) 8 And God is able(EQ) to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,(ER) you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts(ES) to the poor;
    their righteousness endures forever.”[j](ET)

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food(EU) will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.(EV) 11 You will be enriched(EW) in every way so that you can be generous(EX) on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.(EY)

12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs(EZ) of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.(FA) 13 Because of the service(FB) by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God(FC) for the obedience that accompanies your confession(FD) of the gospel of Christ,(FE) and for your generosity(FF) in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God(FG) for his indescribable gift!(FH)

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Or Christ, that person is a new creation.
  2. 2 Corinthians 5:21 Or be a sin offering
  3. 2 Corinthians 6:2 Isaiah 49:8
  4. 2 Corinthians 6:15 Greek Beliar, a variant of Belial
  5. 2 Corinthians 6:16 Lev. 26:12; Jer. 32:38; Ezek. 37:27
  6. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Isaiah 52:11; Ezek. 20:34,41
  7. 2 Corinthians 6:18 2 Samuel 7:14; 7:8
  8. 2 Corinthians 8:7 Some manuscripts and in your love for us
  9. 2 Corinthians 8:15 Exodus 16:18
  10. 2 Corinthians 9:9 Psalm 112:9
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