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

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we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

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and we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord.(A)

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we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

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we have courage, and are well pleased rather to be away from the home of the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

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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.

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

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

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.

Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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;

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.

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.

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.

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. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 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. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (for we walk by faith, not by sight:) we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of 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.

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. 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. 13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. 14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 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. 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. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 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; 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. 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. 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.

Our Future after Death

For we know that if our temporary, earthly dwelling[a](A) is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling[b] in the heavens,(B) not made with hands.(C) Indeed, we groan in this body, desiring(D) to put on our dwelling from heaven, since, when we are clothed,[c] we will not be found naked.(E) Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality(F) may be swallowed up by life. And the One who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.

So, we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we walk by faith,(G) not by sight,(H) and we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord.(I) Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing(J) to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the tribunal(K) of Christ,(L) so that each may be repaid(M) for what he has done in the body, whether good or worthless.

11 Therefore, because we know the fear of the Lord,(N) we seek to persuade people. We are completely open before God, and I hope we are completely open to your consciences as well. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who take pride in the outward appearance[d] rather than in the heart. 13 For if we are out of our mind,(O) it is for God; if we have a sound mind,(P) it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels[e] us, since we have reached this conclusion: If One died for all,(Q) then all died. 15 And He died for all(R) so that those who live should no longer live for themselves,(S) but for the One(T) who died for them and was raised.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

16 From now on, then, we do not know[f] anyone in a purely human way.[g] Even if we have known[h] Christ in a purely human way,[i] yet now we no longer know[j] Him in this way. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;(U) old things have passed away, and look,(V) new things[k] have come.(W) 18 Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:(X) 19 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world(Y) to Himself,(Z) not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors(AA) for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf,(AB) “Be reconciled to God.” 21 He made the One who did not know sin(AC) to be sin[l] for us,(AD) so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 5:1 = our present physical body
  2. 2 Corinthians 5:1 = our future body
  3. 2 Corinthians 5:3 Other mss read stripped
  4. 2 Corinthians 5:12 Lit in face
  5. 2 Corinthians 5:14 Or For the love of Christ impels, or For the love of Christ controls
  6. 2 Corinthians 5:16 Or regard
  7. 2 Corinthians 5:16 Lit anyone according to the flesh
  8. 2 Corinthians 5:16 Or have regarded
  9. 2 Corinthians 5:16 Lit Christ according to the flesh
  10. 2 Corinthians 5:16 Or regard
  11. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Other mss read look, all new things
  12. 2 Corinthians 5:21 Or be a sin offering

For we know that if the earthly house of our [a]tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. For verily in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our habitation which is from heaven: if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For indeed we that are in this [b]tabernacle do groan, [c]being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed, but that we would be clothed upon, that what is mortal may be swallowed up of life. Now he that wrought us for this very thing is God, who gave unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Being therefore always of good courage, and knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord (for we walk by faith, not by [d]sight); we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord. Wherefore also we [e]make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing unto him. 10 For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done [f]in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

11 Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. 12 We are not again commending ourselves unto you, but speak as giving you occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may have wherewith to answer them that glory in appearance, and not in heart. 13 For whether we [g]are beside ourselves, it is unto God; or whether we are of sober mind, it is unto you. 14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and he died for all, that they that live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who for their sakes died and rose again. 16 Wherefore we henceforth know no man after the flesh: even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more. 17 Wherefore if any man is in Christ, [h]he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new. 18 But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, and having [i]committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

20 We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God. 21 Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 5:1 Or, bodily frame. Compare Wisd. 9:15.
  2. 2 Corinthians 5:4 Or, bodily frame. Compare Wisd. 9:15.
  3. 2 Corinthians 5:4 Or, being burdened, in that we would not be unclothed, but would be clothed upon
  4. 2 Corinthians 5:7 Greek appearance.
  5. 2 Corinthians 5:9 Greek are ambitious. See Rom. 15:20 margin.
  6. 2 Corinthians 5:10 Greek through.
  7. 2 Corinthians 5:13 Or, were
  8. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Or, there is a new creation
  9. 2 Corinthians 5:19 Or, placed in us

For we have known that if our earthly house of the tabernacle may be thrown down, a building from God we have, an house not made with hands -- age-during -- in the heavens,

for also in this we groan, with our dwelling that is from heaven earnestly desiring to clothe ourselves,

if so be that, having clothed ourselves, we shall not be found naked,

for we also who are in the tabernacle do groan, being burdened, seeing we wish not to unclothe ourselves, but to clothe ourselves, that the mortal may be swallowed up of the life.

And He who did work us to this self-same thing [is] God, who also did give to us the earnest of the Spirit;

having courage, then, at all times, and knowing that being at home in the body, we are away from home from the Lord, --

for through faith we walk, not through sight --

we have courage, and are well pleased rather to be away from the home of the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

Wherefore also we are ambitious, whether at home or away from home, to be well pleasing to him,

10 for all of us it behoveth to be manifested before the tribunal of the Christ, that each one may receive the things [done] through the body, in reference to the things that he did, whether good or evil;

11 having known, therefore, the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, and to God we are manifested, and I hope also in your consciences to have been manifested;

12 for not again ourselves do we recommend to you, but we are giving occasion to you of glorifying in our behalf, that ye may have [something] in reference to those glorifying in face and not in heart;

13 for whether we were beside ourselves, [it was] to God; whether we be of sound mind -- [it is] to you,

14 for the love of the Christ doth constrain us, having judged thus: that if one for all died, then the whole died,

15 and for all he died, that those living, no more to themselves may live, but to him who died for them, and was raised again.

16 So that we henceforth have known no one according to the flesh, and even if we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him no more;

17 so that if any one [is] in Christ -- [he is] a new creature; the old things did pass away, lo, become new have the all things.

18 And the all things [are] of God, who reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and did give to us the ministration of the reconciliation,

19 how that God was in Christ -- a world reconciling to Himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses; and having put in us the word of the reconciliation,

20 in behalf of Christ, then, we are ambassadors, as if God were calling through us, we beseech, in behalf of Christ, `Be ye reconciled to God;'

21 for him who did not know sin, in our behalf He did make sin, that we may become the righteousness of God in him.