¹ For we know that, if our earthly tent-habitation be destroyed, we have a building provided by God, a house not made with hands, everlasting, in the heavens.

² For while in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our habitation which is from heaven;

³ since, indeed, when we have put off our present garment, we shall not be found naked.

⁴ For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened; inasmuch as we do not desire to be unclothed, but to be clothed upon, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.

⁵ Now he that hath prepared us for this very thing is God; who also gave to us the Spirit as the pledge.

⁶ We have courage, therefore, always, and know that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord;

⁷ for we walk by faith, not by sight; but we have courage,

⁸ and are well pleased rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

⁹ Wherefore we also strive that, whether at home or absent, we may be approved by him.

¹⁰ For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in his body, according to what he did, whether good or bad.

¹¹ Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men; but to God we have been made manifest, and I hope have been made manifest in your consciences also.

¹² For we are not again commending ourselves to you, but giving you occasion to glory on our behalf; that ye may have somewhat to answer those who glory in outward appearance, and not in heart.

¹³ For whether we were beside ourselves, it was for God; or whether we are in our sound mind, it is for you.

¹⁴ For the love of Christ constraineth us, because we thus judged, that if one died for all, then all died;

¹⁵ and he died for all, that they who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who died for their sakes, and rose again.

¹⁶ So that we henceforth know no one according to the flesh; and if we have even known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we no longer know him.

¹⁷ Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

¹⁸ And all things are from God, who reconciled us to himself by Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation;

¹⁹ seeing that in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation.

²⁰ We then are ambassadors for Christ; as though God were exhorting you by us, in behalf of Christ we entreat you, Be reconciled to God.

²¹ Him, who knew not sin, he made sin for us, that we might become God’s righteousness in him.