2Cor 5 | BSB | STEP | Now we know that if the earthly tent we [live in] is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

2 Corinthians 5

Our Eternal Dwelling

1 Now we know that if the earthly tent we [live in] is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 For in this [tent] we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 So [while] we are in [this] tent, we groan under our burdens, because we do not wish to be unclothed but clothed, so that [our] mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 And God has prepared us for this very [purpose] [and] has given us the Spirit as a pledge of what is to come. 6 Therefore we are always confident, although we know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we aspire to please Him, whether we are here in this body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.

Ambassadors for Christ

11 Therefore, since we know [what it means] to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again. Instead, we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who take pride in appearances [rather than] in [the] heart. 13 If we are out of our mind, [it is] for God; if we are of sound mind, [it is] for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, [because] we are convinced that One died for all, 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 according to [the] flesh. Although we once regarded Christ [in this way] , [we do so] no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone [is] in Christ, [he is] a new creation. ^{▼▼Or creature} The old has passed away. Behold, [the] new has come! 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 [men’s] trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God. 21 [God] made Him who knew no sin [to be] sin ^{▼▼Or a sin offering} on our behalf, so that in Him we might become [the] righteousness of God.