King James Version KJV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 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.
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For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
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For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling—
3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
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if indeed, when we have taken it off we will not be found naked.
4 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.
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For while we are still in this tent, we groan under our burden, because we wish not to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
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He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
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So we are always confident; even though 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:)
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for we walk by faith, not by sight.
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
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Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
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So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.
10 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.
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For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil.
11 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.
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Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade others; but we ourselves are well known to God, and I hope that we are also well known to your consciences.
12 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.
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We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast in outward appearance and not in the heart.
13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
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For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
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For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died.
15 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.
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And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.
16 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.
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From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
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So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
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All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 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.
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that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.
20 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.
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So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
21 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.
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For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.