2 Corinthians 5

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.

We understand that even if our physical bodies perish, we have a divine home waiting for us, built by God, everlasting in the heavens.

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

In our hearts, we deeply yearn, longing to be wrapped in the comfort of our heavenly home.

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

Once we are clothed with that heavenly home, we won't be found naked.

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.

While we live in these earthly bodies, we sigh under their weight. Not because we want to die, but because we want to be enveloped in eternal life, to be free from mortality's constraints.

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

The one who has prepared us for this very thing is God, and He has given us His Spirit as a pledge of what is to come.

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

We always carry faith in our hearts, understanding that while we live in our physical bodies, we are not in the direct presence of God.

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

We journey through life guided by our unwavering belief, not merely by what we can see.

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

With faith in our hearts, we yearn to leave our earthly bodies, longing instead to be in the divine presence of the Lord.

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

We strive tirelessly, so that no matter where we are, we may find favor in His eyes.

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.

We all have to face Christ's judgment. Everyone will be rewarded or punished based on their actions in life, whether they were good or bad.

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.

Understanding the profound fear of God, we try to persuade others. God sees us as we truly are, and I believe you too can see our true selves in your hearts.

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.

We're not trying to impress you, but rather give you a reason to be proud of us. This way, you can respond to those who care more about outward appearances than what's in the heart.

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

Whether we lose ourselves in ecstasy, it's for God; or if we remain grounded, it's for your benefit.

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

Christ's love compels us, for we believe that since He died for everyone, we all share in that death.

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.

He gave his life for everyone, so that those who are alive should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who sacrificed himself and was resurrected for them.

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.

From now on, we don't look at anyone from a merely human point of view, not even Christ. We once saw Christ that way, but now we understand him on a deeper, spiritual level.

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

When you embrace Christ, you're reborn. Your past is erased, and everything about you becomes fresh and new.

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Everything comes from God. He brought us back to Himself through Jesus, and entrusted us with the ministry of reconciliation.

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.

Simply put, God was present in Jesus, mending the relationship between Himself and the world. He didn't count people's sins against them. Instead, He gave us the message of reconciliation.

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.

As representatives of Christ, we feel as if God is pleading through us. We urge you, on behalf of Christ, to reconnect with God.

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.

He became our sin, though he was pure, so we could be seen as righteous in God's eyes through him.