2 Corinthians 5
Paul teaches that when our earthly body is dissolved, we have a building of God eternal in the heavens, and that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. He declares that if any man is in Christ he is a new creature, and that God has given us the ministry of reconciliation — for He made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
| v | King James Version | Modern English |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is taken down, we have a building from God — a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. |
| 2 | For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: | For in this present body we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, |
| 3 | If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. | if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. |
| 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 groan, being burdened — not that we wish to be unclothed, but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by 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. | Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, Who also has given us the Spirit as an earnest of what is to come. |
| 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 we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord — |
| 7 | (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) | for we walk by faith, not by sight. |
| 8 | We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. | We are confident, I say, and we would prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. |
| 9 | Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. | So we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be pleasing to 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 we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for the things done in the body, according to what He has done, whether 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. | Therefore, knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is plain also to 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. | We are not commending ourselves to You again, but giving You reason to be proud of us — so You will have an answer for those who boast in outward appearance and not in the heart. |
| 13 | For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. | If we are out of our minds, it is for God; and if we are in our right mind, it is for You. |
| 14 | For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: | For the love of Christ constrains us, because we have come to this conclusion: that one died for all, and 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 He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who 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. | From now on, then, we regard no man after the flesh. Even if we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know Him 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 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; | And all things are of God, Who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ and has given 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. | namely, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and He has committed to 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. | Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were appealing through us; we plead with You in Christ's stead — 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. | 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. |