2 Corinthians 5
Our Heavenly Dwelling
For we know that if athe tent that is bour earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, ca house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent awe groan, longing to bput on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4 For 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 amay be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, awho has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
6 So we are always of good courage. We know that awhile we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for awe walk by faith, not bby sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we awould rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to aplease him. 10 For awe must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, bso that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
The Ministry of Reconciliation
11 Therefore, knowing athe fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But bwhat we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 aWe are not commending ourselves to you again but bgiving 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. 13 For if we aare beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ acontrols us, because we have concluded this: that bone has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, athat those who live might no longer live for themselves but bfor him who for their sake died and was raised.
16 From now on, therefore, awe regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is ain Christ, he is ba new creation. cThe old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, awho through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us bthe ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, anot counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us bthe message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, awe are ambassadors for Christ, bGod making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 aFor our sake he made him to be sin bwho knew no sin, so that in him we might become cthe righteousness of God.
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