2 Corinthians 5:1-21
“For 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.
2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our
heavenly dwelling,
3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.
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 instead with our
heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by LIFE.
5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is GOD, who has given us
THE SPIRIT as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
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.
7 For we live by FAITH, not by sight.
8 We are confident, I say, and would
prefer to be away from the body and at home with THE LORD.
9 So we make it our goal to please HIM, whether
we are at home in the body or away from it.
10 For we must all appear before the
judgment seat of CHRIST,
so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in
the body, whether good or bad.
11 Since, then, we know what it is to
fear THE LORD, we
try to persuade others. What we are is plain to GOD, and I hope it is also plain to
your conscience.
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.
13 If we are ‘out of our mind,’ as
some say, it is for GOD;
if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
14 For CHRIST’s love compels us, because we
are convinced that ONE died for all, and therefore all died.
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.
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.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in CHRIST, the new
creation has come:
The old has gone, the new is here!
18 All this is from GOD, WHO
reconciled us to HIMSELF through CHRIST and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
19 that GOD was reconciling the world to HIMSELF
in CHRIST,
not counting people’s sins against them. And HE has committed to us the
message of reconciliation.
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.
21 GOD made HIM WHO HAD NO SIN to
be SIN FOR US,
so that in HIM we might become THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD.”
