1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle was destroyed, we have an edifice from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 For in this we also groan, earnestly desiring to put on our dwelling which is from heaven,
3 if indeed also having put it on we may not be found naked.
4 For being in this tabernacle we groan, being burdened, because we do not wish to put it off, but to put on [the other], that the mortal may be swallowed up by life.
5 And he that has made us for this is God, who has given us the pledge of the Spirit.
6 Being always confident therefore, and knowing that while we are present in the body we are absent from the Lord,??7 we walk by faith, not by sight;??8 but we are confident, and are pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
9 Wherefore also we strive, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to him.
10 For we must all appear before the tribunal of Christ, that each one may receive through the body for what he has done, whether it is good or evil.
11 Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord we persuade men, but are made manifest to God; and I hope also to be made manifest in your consciences.
12 For we do not again commend ourselves to you, but give you occasion to glory on our account, that you may have something for those that glory in appearance and not in heart.
13 For if we are beside ourselves it is for God; and if we are sober it is for you.
14 For the love of Christ constrains us, judging this, that if one died for all then were all dead;
15 and he died for all, that those who live should no more live for themselves but for him that died for them and rose again.
16 So that from henceforth we know no man after the flesh; and if we have known Christ after the flesh, we now know him no more.
17 So that if any one is in Christ he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.
18 And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and given us the ministry of the reconciliation,
19 to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not imputing to them their offenses, and has given to us the word of reconciliation.
20 We are embassadors therefore for Christ, as though God besought you by us; we pray you, for Christ, be reconciled to God.
21 For he made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become God's righteousness in him.