2 Corinthians

The second epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians, chapter 5, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 5 New English Translation

Living by Faith, Not by Sight

1 For we know that if our earthly house, the tent we live in, is dismantled, we have a building from God, a house not built by human hands, that is eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this earthly house we groan, because we desire to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed, after we have put on our heavenly house, we will not be found naked. 4 For we groan while we are in this tent, since we are weighed down, because we do not want to be unclothed, but clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment. 6 Therefore we are always full of courage, and we know that as long as we are alive here on earth we are absent from the LORD - 7 for we live by faith, not by sight. 8 Thus we are full of courage and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the LORD. 9 So then whether we are alive or away, we make it our ambition to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be paid back according to what he has done while in the body, whether good or evil.

The Message of Reconciliation

11 Therefore, because we know the fear of the LORD, we try to persuade people, but we are well known to God, and I hope we are well known to your consciences too. 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may be able to answer those who take pride in outward appearance and not in what is in the heart. 13 For if we are out of our minds, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, since we have concluded this, that Christ died for all; therefore all have died. 15 And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised. 16 So then from now on we acknowledge no one from an outward human point of view. Even though we have known Christ from such a human point of view, now we do not know him in that way any longer. 17 So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away - look, what is new has come! 18 And all these things are from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 19 In other words, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting people's trespasses against them, and he has given us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His plea through us. We plead with you on Christ's behalf, "Be reconciled to God!" 21 God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God.

King James Version

   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.
   2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
   3 If so be that being 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.
   5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
   6 Therefore 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:)
   8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
   9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of 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.
   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.
   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.
   13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
   14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
   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.
   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.
   17 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;
   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.
   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.
   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.