2Cor 5 | ESV | STEP | For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed , we have a building from God , a house not made with hands , eternal in the heavens .

‏ 2 Corinthians 5

Our Heavenly Dwelling

1 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 ^dwe groan, longing to ^eput on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on ^{▼▼Some manuscripts putting it off} 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 ^gmay be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, ^hwho has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

6 So we are always of good courage. We know that ⁱwhile we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for ^jwe walk by faith, not ^kby sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would ^lrather 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 ^mplease him. 10 For ⁿwe must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, ^oso 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 ^pthe fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But ^qwhat we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 ^rWe are not commending ourselves to you again but ^sgiving 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 ^tare beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ ^ucontrols us, because we have concluded this: that ^vone has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, ^wthat those who live might no longer live for themselves but ^xfor him who for their sake died and was raised.

16 From now on, therefore, ^ywe 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 ^zin Christ, he is ^aaa new creation. ^{▼▼Or creature} ^acThe old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, ^adwho through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us ^aethe ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling ^{▼▼Or God was in Christ, reconciling} the world to himself, ^agnot counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us ^ahthe message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, ^aiwe are ambassadors for Christ, ^ajGod making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 ^akFor our sake he made him to be sin ^alwho knew no sin, so that in him we might become ^amthe righteousness of God.