2 Corinthians 5:1-15 ▼

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

7 For we live by faith, not by sight.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.