2Cor.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.
2Cor.5.1
For instance, we know that when these bodies of ours are taken down like tents and folded away, they will be replaced by resurrection bodies in heaven--God-made, not handmade
2Cor.5.1
Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
2Cor.5.1
For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2Cor.5.1
For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down--when we die and leave these bodies--we will have a home in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.
2Cor.5.2
For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
2Cor.5.2
-and we'll never have to relocate our "tents" again. Sometimes we can hardly wait to move--and so we cry out in frustration. Compared to what's coming, living conditions around here seem like a stopover in an unfurnished shack, and we're tired of it! We've been given a glimpse of the real thing, our true home, our resurrection bodies!
2Cor.5.2
Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling,
2Cor.5.2
For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,
2Cor.5.2
We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long for the day when we will put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing.
2Cor.5.3
If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
2Cor.5.3
The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what's ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we'll never settle for less.
2Cor.5.3
because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.
2Cor.5.3
if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.
2Cor.5.3
For we will not be spirits without bodies, but we will put on new heavenly bodies.
2Cor.5.4
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.
2Cor.5.4
That's why we live with such good cheer. You won't see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet! Cramped conditions here don't get us down. They only remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead.
2Cor.5.4
For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
2Cor.5.4
For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.
2Cor.5.4
Our dying bodies make us groan and sigh, but it's not that we want to die and have no bodies at all. We want to slip into our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by everlasting life.
2Cor.5.5
Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
2Cor.5.5
It's what we trust in but don't yet see that keeps us going.
2Cor.5.5
Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
2Cor.5.5
Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
2Cor.5.5
God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.
2Cor.5.6
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
2Cor.5.6
Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks in the path are going to stop us? When the time comes, we'll be plenty ready to exchange exile for homecoming.
2Cor.5.6
Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.
2Cor.5.6
So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.
2Cor.5.6
So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord.
2Cor.5.7
For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
2Cor.5.7
But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that's what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions.
2Cor.5.7
We live by faith, not by sight.
2Cor.5.7
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
2Cor.5.7
That is why we live by believing and not by seeing.
2Cor.5.8
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
2Cor.5.8
Sooner or later we'll all have to face God, regardless of our conditions. We will appear before Christ and take what's coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad.
2Cor.5.8
We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
2Cor.5.8
We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
2Cor.5.8
Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.
2Cor.5.9
Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
2Cor.5.9
That keeps us vigilant, you can be sure. It's no light thing to know that we'll all one day stand in that place of Judgment. That's why we work urgently with everyone we meet to get them ready to face God. God alone knows how well we do this, but I hope you realize how much and deeply we care.
2Cor.5.9
So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.
2Cor.5.9
Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.
2Cor.5.9
So our aim is to please him always, whether we are here in this body or away from this body.
2Cor.5.10
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.
2Cor.5.10
We're not saying this to make ourselves look good to you. We just thought it would make you feel good, proud even, that we're on your side and not just nice to your face as so many people are.
2Cor.5.10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
2Cor.5.10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
2Cor.5.10
For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in our bodies.
2Cor.5.11
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.
2Cor.5.11
If I acted crazy, I did it for God; if I acted overly serious, I did it for you.
2Cor.5.11
Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.
2Cor.5.11
Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
2Cor.5.11
It is because we know this solemn fear of the Lord that we work so hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too.
2Cor.5.12
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.
2Cor.5.12
Christ's love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do. Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat.
2Cor.5.12
We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart.
2Cor.5.12
For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart.
2Cor.5.12
Are we trying to pat ourselves on the back again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart before God.
2Cor.5.13
For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
2Cor.5.13
He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own.
2Cor.5.13
If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
2Cor.5.13
For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you.
2Cor.5.13
If it seems that we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit.
2Cor.5.14
For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
2Cor.5.14
Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore.
2Cor.5.14
For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.
2Cor.5.14
For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;
2Cor.5.14
Whatever we do, it is because Christ's love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for everyone, we also believe that we have all died to the old life we used to live.
2Cor.5.15
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.
2Cor.5.15
Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it!
2Cor.5.15
And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
2Cor.5.15
and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
2Cor.5.15
He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live to please themselves. Instead, they will live to please Christ, who died and was raised for them.
2Cor.5.16
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.
2Cor.5.16
All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other.
2Cor.5.16
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
2Cor.5.16
Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.
2Cor.5.16
So we have stopped evaluating others by what the world thinks about them. Once I mistakenly thought of Christ that way, as though he were merely a human being. How differently I think about him now!
2Cor.5.17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2Cor.5.17
God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing.
2Cor.5.17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2Cor.5.17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
2Cor.5.17
What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!
2Cor.5.18
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Cor.5.18
We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you.
2Cor.5.18
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
2Cor.5.18
Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
2Cor.5.18
All this newness of life is from God, who brought us back to himself through what Christ did. And God has given us the task of reconciling people to him.
2Cor.5.19
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.
2Cor.5.19
How? you say. In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.
2Cor.5.19
that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
2Cor.5.19
that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
2Cor.5.19
For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others.
2Cor.5.20
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.
2Cor.5.20
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.
2Cor.5.20
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.
2Cor.5.20
Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
2Cor.5.20
We are Christ's ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, "Be reconciled to God!"
2Cor.5.21
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.
2Cor.5.21
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2Cor.5.21
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2Cor.5.21
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2Cor.5.21
For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.