Well, whether the words are "absent from the body" or "away from the body" the meaning is the same:
For our spirit to be present in our current bodies = not being in the presence of the Lord
For our spirit to be away (absent) from our current bodies = To be in the presence of the Lord
In Philippian's, Paul says that he is torn between staying in the body in order to be a benefit for the Philippian's, or to depart, i.e. his spirit leaving his body to be in the presence of the Lord.
My original point in all this is that, when the believer dies, their spirit departs and goes to be in the presence of the Lord.
As far as the use of the translated word "absent" is concerned, it is an acceptable translation. Here is the Greek word from which it is translated from:
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HELPS Word-studies
1553 ekdēméō (from
1537 /ek, "
out from and
to" and
1218 /dḗmos, "a population, people") – properly, out from home, i.e. with the
outcome of
being absent ("away from home"). It only occurs in 2 Cor 5:6-9.
In both 2 Cor.5:6-8 and Philippian's 1:22-23, Paul is revealing that at the time of death that his spirit would depart and go to be in the presence of the Lord. So I don't know how you can claim that I am assuming, when Paul gives a comparison of both.
If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
These scriptures are very good arguments against soul-sleep, as well as the event of the rich man and Lazarus, as well as many others.
And as I said previously, Paul is not referring to the resurrection, else it would make no sense for him to say to the Philippian's that it would be more necessary for him to remain in the body. Because if he was speaking about the resurrection, then their would be no reason for Paul to say that it was necessary for him to remain for their benefit, because they as believers would also be resurrected or changed and caught up at the same time he was.
As far as whether to use the word "absent" or "Away," they both convey the same meaning. Check out the translation of the word of these major translations
New International Version
We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
New Living Translation
Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.
English Standard Version
Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
Berean Study Bible
We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
Berean Literal Bible
Now we are confident and are pleased rather to be
absent out of the body, and to be at home with the Lord.
New American Standard Bible
we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be
absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.
King James Bible
We are confident,
I say, and willing rather to be
absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Christian Standard Bible
In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
Contemporary English Version
We should be cheerful, because we would rather leave these bodies and be at home with the Lord.
Good News Translation
We are full of courage and would much prefer to leave our home in the body and be at home with the Lord.
Holman Christian Standard Bible
and we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord.
International Standard Version
We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from this body and to live with the Lord.
NET Bible
Thus we are full of courage and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
New Heart English Bible
We are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be
absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Because of this we trust and we long to depart from the body and to be with Our Lord.
GOD'S WORD® Translation
We are confident and prefer to live away from this body and to live with the Lord.
New American Standard 1977
we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be
absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.
Jubilee Bible 2000
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be
absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
King James 2000 Bible
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be
absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
American King James Version
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be
absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
American Standard Version
we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be
absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.
Douay-Rheims Bible
But we are confident, and have a good will to be
absent rather from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Darby Bible Translation
we are confident, I say, and pleased rather to be
absent from the body and present with the Lord.
English Revised Version
we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be
absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.
Webster's Bible Translation
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be
absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Weymouth New Testament
So we have a cheerful confidence, and we anticipate with greater delight being banished from the body and going home to the Lord.
World English Bible
We are courageous, I say, and are willing rather to be
absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.
Young's Literal Translation
we have courage, and are well pleased rather to be away from the home of the body, and to be at home with the Lord.