Absent From The Body And At Home With The Lord

1 For we know that if (a)the (A)earthly (B)tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house (C)not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

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.

1 For we know that if our temporary, earthly dwelling(a)(A) is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling(b) in the heavens,(B) not made with hands.(C)

1 We know that if the earthly tent we live in is torn down, we have a building in heaven that comes from God, an eternal house not built by human hands.

1 For we know that if the earthly tent [our physical body] which is our house is torn down [through death], we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2 For indeed in this house we (D)groan, longing to be (E)clothed with our dwelling from heaven,

2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

2 Indeed, we groan in this body, desiring(D) to put on our dwelling from heaven,

2 For in this one we sigh, since we long to put on our heavenly dwelling.

2 For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our [immortal, eternal] celestial dwelling,

3 inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked.

3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.

3 since, when we are clothed,(c) we will not be found naked.(E)

3 Of course, if we do put it on, we will not be found without a body.

3 so that by putting it on we will not be found naked.

4 For indeed while we are in this tent, we (F)groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be (G)clothed, so that what is (H)mortal will be swallowed up by life.

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.

4 Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality(F) may be swallowed up by life.

4 So while we are still in this tent, we sigh under our burdens, because we do not want to put it off but to put it on, so that our dying bodies may be swallowed up by life.

4 For while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened [often weighed down, oppressed], not that we want to be unclothed [separated by death from the body], but to be clothed, so that what is mortal [the body] will be swallowed up by life [after the resurrection].

5 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who (I)gave to us the Spirit as a (b)pledge.

5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

5 And the One who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.

5 God has prepared us for this and has given us his Spirit as a guarantee.

5 Now He who has made us and prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the [Holy] Spirit as a pledge [a guarantee, a down payment on the fulfillment of His promise].

6 Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that (J)while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord—

6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

6 So, we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.

6 Therefore, we are always confident, and we know that as long as we are at home in this body we are away from the Lord.

6 So then, being always filled with good courage and confident hope, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord—

7 for (K)we walk by faith, not by (c)sight—

7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

7 For we walk by faith,(G) not by sight,(H)

7 For we live by faith, not by sight.

7 for we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises]—

8 we are of good courage, I say, and (L)prefer rather to be absent from the body and (M)to be at home with the Lord.

8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

8 and we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord.(I)

8 We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from this body and to live with the Lord.

8 we are [as I was saying] of good courage and confident hope, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be (N)pleasing to Him.

9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

9 Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing(J) to Him.

9 So whether we are at home or away from home, our goal is to be pleasing to him.

9 Therefore, whether we are at home [on earth] or away from home [and with Him], it is our [constant] ambition to be pleasing to Him.

10 For we must all appear before (O)the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for (d)his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

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.

10 For we must all appear before the tribunal(K) of Christ,(L) so that each may be repaid(M) for what he has done in the body, whether good or worthless.

10 For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of the Messiah, so that each of us may receive what he deserves for what he has done in his body, whether good or worthless.

10 For we [believers will be called to account and] must all appear before the (a)judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be repaid for what has been done in the body, whether good or (b)bad [that is, each will be held responsible for his actions, purposes, goals, motives—the use or misuse of his time, opportunities and abilities].

Controlled By The Love Of Christ

11 Therefore, knowing the (P)fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are (Q)made manifest also in your consciences.

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.

11 Therefore, because we know the fear of the Lord,(N) we seek to persuade people. We are completely open before God, and I hope we are completely open to your consciences as well.

11 Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade people. We ourselves are perfectly known to God. I hope we are also really known to your consciences.

11 Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord [and understand the importance of obedience and worship], we persuade people [to be reconciled to Him]. But we are plainly known to God [He knows everything about us]; and I hope that we are plainly known also in your consciences [your God-given discernment].

12 We are not (R)again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an (S)occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.

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.

12 We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who take pride in the outward appearance(d) rather than in the heart.

12 We are not recommending ourselves to you again but are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who are proud of outward things rather than inward character.

12 We are not commending ourselves to you again, but are giving you an occasion to be [rightfully] proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in [outward] appearances [the virtues they pretend to have] rather than what is [actually] in heart.

13 For if we (e)are (T)beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.

13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

13 For if we are out of our mind,(O) it is for God; if we have a sound mind,(P) it is for you.

13 So if we were crazy, it was for God; if we are sane, it is for you.

13 If we are out of our mind [just unstable fanatics as some critics say], it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for your benefit.

14 For the love of Christ (U)controls us, having concluded this, that (V)one died for all, therefore all died;

14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

14 For Christ’s love compels(e) us, since we have reached this conclusion: If One died for all,(Q) then all died.

14 The love of the Messiah controls us, for we are convinced of this: that one person died for all people; therefore, all people have died.

14 For the love of Christ controls and compels us, because we have concluded this, that One died for all, therefore all died;

15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer (W)live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

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.

15 And He died for all(R) so that those who live should no longer live for themselves,(S) but for the One(T) who died for them and was raised.

15 He died for all people, so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for the one who died and rose for them.

15 and He died for all, so that all those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and was raised for their sake.

The Ministry Of Reconciliation

16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one (f)(X)according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ (g)according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.

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.

16 From now on, then, we do not know(f) anyone in a purely human way.(g) Even if we have known(h) Christ in a purely human way,(i) yet now we no longer know(j) Him in this way.

16 So then, from now on we do not think of anyone from a human point of view. Even if we did think of the Messiah from a human point of view, we don't think of him that way anymore.

16 So from now on we regard no one from a human point of view [according to worldly standards and values]. Though we have known Christ from a human point of view, now we no longer know Him in this way.

17 Therefore if anyone is (Y)in Christ, (h)he is (Z)a new creature; (AA)the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;(U) old things have passed away, and look,(V) new things(k) have come.(W)

17 Therefore, if anyone is in the Messiah, he is a new creation. Old things have disappeared, and look! all things have become new!

17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].

18 Now (AB)all these things are from God, (AC)who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the (AD)ministry of reconciliation,

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;

18 Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:(X)

18 All of this comes from God, who has reconciled us to himself through the Messiah and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,

18 But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him],

19 namely, that (AE)God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, (AF)not counting their trespasses against them, and (i)He has (j)committed to us the word 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.

19 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world(Y) to Himself,(Z) not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us.

19 for through the Messiah, God was reconciling the world to himself by not counting their sins against them. He has committed his message of reconciliation to us.

19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people’s sins against them [but canceling them]. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation [that is, restoration to favor with God].

20 Therefore, we are (AG)ambassadors for Christ, (AH)as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be (AI)reconciled to God.

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.

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors(AA) for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf,(AB) “Be reconciled to God.”

20 Therefore, we are the Messiah's representatives, as though God were pleading through us. We plead on the Messiah's behalf: "Be reconciled to God!"

20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we [as Christ’s representatives] plead with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God.

21 He made Him who (AJ)knew no sin to be (AK)sin on our behalf, so that we might become the (AL)righteousness of God in Him.

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.

21 He made the One who did not know sin(AC) to be sin(l) for us,(AD) so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

21 God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that God's righteousness would be produced in us.

21 He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].

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