1For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (Mr 14:58; 2Co 4:7; 2Pe 1:13)2For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, (Ro 8:23; 1Co 15:53)3if indeed by putting it on[1] we may not be found naked.4For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. (1Co 15:54)5He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. (Ro 8:23; 2Co 1:22)6So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, (Heb 11:13)7for we walk by faith, not by sight. (Joh 20:29; 1Co 13:12; 2Co 4:18)8Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. (Php 1:23)9So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. (Col 1:10; 1Th 4:1)10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (Ps 62:12; Mt 25:31; Ac 10:42; Ro 14:10)
The Ministry of Reconciliation
11Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. (Job 31:23; Ac 9:31; 2Co 4:2; Heb 10:31; Jud 1:23)12We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. (2Co 1:14; 2Co 3:1)13For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. (2Co 11:1; 2Co 11:16; 2Co 12:6; 2Co 12:11)14For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; (Ac 18:5; Ro 5:15)15and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (Ro 6:11; Ro 14:7; 2Co 12:10)16From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. (Ga 2:6; Php 3:7; Col 2:11; 1Ti 5:21)17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[2] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (Isa 43:18; Isa 65:17; Joh 3:3; Ro 6:4; Ro 16:7; 2Co 12:2; Ga 1:22; Eph 2:15; Eph 4:24; Heb 8:13; Re 21:5)18All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; (Ro 5:10; Ro 5:11; Col 1:20; 1Jo 2:2)19that is, in Christ God was reconciling[3] the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. (Ps 32:2; Ro 4:8; 2Co 5:18)20Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (Mal 2:7; 2Co 6:1; Ga 4:14; Eph 6:20)21For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (Ro 1:17; Ro 4:25; Ro 8:3; 1Co 1:30; Ga 3:13; 1Pe 2:22)
2 Corinthians 5
King James Version
1For 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.2For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:3If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.4For 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.5Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.6Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:7(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)8We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.9Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.10For 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.11Knowing 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.12For 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.13For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.14For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:15And 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.16Wherefore 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.17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;19To 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.20Now 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.21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.