[1] For we know that if the earthly house of our tent is dissolved, we have
a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.
[2] For most assuredly in this we groan, longing to be clothed with our
habitation which is from heaven; [3] if so be that being clothed we will
not be found naked. [4] For indeed we who are in this tent do groan, being
burdened; not that we desire to be unclothed, but that we desire to be
clothed, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. [5] Now he who
made us for this very thing is God, who also gave to us the down payment of
the Spirit. [6] Being therefore always of good courage, and knowing that,
while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord; [7] for we
walk by faith, not by sight. [8] 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.
[9] Therefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be
well pleasing to him. [10] For we must all be revealed before the judgment
seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things in the body, according
to what he has done, whether good or bad. [11] Knowing therefore the fear
of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are revealed to God; and I hope that
we are revealed also in your consciences. [12] For we are not commending
ourselves to you again, but speak as giving you occasion of boasting on our
behalf, that you may have something to answer those who boast in
appearance, and not in heart. [13] For if we are beside ourselves, it is
for God. Or if we are of sober mind, it is for you. [14] For the love of
Christ constrains us; because we judge thus, that one died for all,
therefore all died. [15] He died for all, that those who live should no
longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose
again. [16] Therefore we know no one after the flesh from now on. Even
though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no
more. [17] Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old
things have passed away. Behold, they have become new. [18] But all things
are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to
us the ministry of reconciliation; [19] namely, that God was in Christ
reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses,
and having committed to us the word of reconciliation. [20] We are
therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by
us. We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. [21] For him who
knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become
the righteousness of God.
