The Temporal and Eternal

For we know that if [a]the (A)earthly (B)tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house (C)not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we (D)groan, longing to be (E)clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we (F)groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be (G)clothed, so that what is (H)mortal will be swallowed up by life. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who (I)gave to us the Spirit as a [b]pledge.

Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that (J)while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— for (K)we walk by faith, not by [c]sight— we are of good courage, I say, and (L)prefer rather to be absent from the body and (M)to be at home with the Lord. Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be (N)pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before (O)the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for [d]his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

11 Therefore, knowing the (P)fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are (Q)made manifest also in your consciences. 12 We are not (R)again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an (S)occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart. 13 For if we [e]are (T)beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ (U)controls us, having concluded this, that (V)one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer (W)live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one [f](X)according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ [g]according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is (Y)in Christ, [h]he is (Z)a new creature; (AA)the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now (AB)all these things are from God, (AC)who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the (AD)ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that (AE)God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, (AF)not counting their trespasses against them, and [i]He has [j]committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20 Therefore, we are (AG)ambassadors for Christ, (AH)as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be (AI)reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who (AJ)knew no sin to be (AK)sin on our behalf, so that we might become the (AL)righteousness of God in Him.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 5:1 Lit our earthly house of the tent
  2. 2 Corinthians 5:5 Or down payment
  3. 2 Corinthians 5:7 Or appearance
  4. 2 Corinthians 5:10 Lit the things through the body
  5. 2 Corinthians 5:13 Lit were
  6. 2 Corinthians 5:16 I.e. by what he is in the flesh
  7. 2 Corinthians 5:16 I.e. by what he is in the flesh
  8. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Or there is a new creation
  9. 2 Corinthians 5:19 Lit having
  10. 2 Corinthians 5:19 Lit placed in us