1For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not made by human hands.
2For in this earthly tent we groan, earnestly desiring to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing,
3For we shall put on heavenly bodies and not be spirits without bodies.
4For while we are in this tent (these earthly bodies), we do groan and sigh, but not because we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these failing mortal bodies might be swallowed up by eternal life.
5Now He Who has prepared us for this very thing is God, Who also has given to us the Spirit as earnest (pledge/guarantee) of this promise.
6Therefore, we are always confident, knowing that, while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord
7For we live by faith, not by sight.
8We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be absent from this earthly body, and at home with the Lord.
9So we labor that, whether present or absent, we may please and be accepted by Him.
10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive what is due for the things we have done in this body, whether good or bad.
11Knowing, therefore, the fear of (reverence for) the Lord, we seek to persuade others. What we are is evident to God, and I trust, also evident to your consciences.
12For we are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you occasion (reason, opportunity) to be proud of us, so that you have an answer to those who glory in appearance, and not in what is in the heart.
13For if we are “out of our mind”, as some say, it is for God; or if we are in our right mind, it is for your benefit.
14For the love of Christ compels us, because we are convinced that, if One died for all, then all were dead;
15And that He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him Who died for them, and rose again.
16Therefore, from now on, we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Yes, at one time we may have thought of Christ from a human point of view; but we no longer do so.
17This means that anyone who is in Christ, (belongs to Christ) is a new creation; old things have passed away; replaced by new things.
18And all this is a gift from God, Who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciling people to Him;
19For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not holding their offenses (sins) against them, and He has entrusted to us His message of reconciliation.
20And so we are now ambassadors for Christ, as though God was making His appeal to you by us; therefore, we implore you on Christ's behalf: that you be reconciled to God.
21For God has made Him, Who had no sin, to be sin for us; that in and through Him, we might be made or attain the righteousness of God. Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2023 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |
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