Being therefore always of good courage, and knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord

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.

Wherefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing unto him.

Now I Paul myself entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am of good courage toward you:

Let such a one reckon this, that, what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present.

I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, to them that have sinned heretofore, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare;

For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for casting down.