1For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle be destroyed, we have a building given of God, that is, an house not made with hands, but eternal in the heavens.
2For therefore we sigh, desiring to be clothed with our house, which is from heaven.
3Because that if we be clothed, we shall not be found naked.
4For indeed we that are in this tabernacle, sigh and are burdened because we would not be unclothed, but would be clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
5And he that hath created us for this thing, is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
6Therefore we are always bold, though we know that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord.
7(For we walk by faith, and not by sight.)
8Nevertheless, we are bold, and love rather to remove out of the body, and to dwell with the Lord.
9Wherefore also we covet, that both dwelling at home, and removing from home, we may be acceptable to him.
10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every man may receive the things which are done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or evil.
11Knowing therefore that terror of the Lord, we persuade men, and we are made manifest unto God, and I trust also that we are made manifest in your consciences.
12For we praise not ourselves again unto you, but give you an occasion to rejoice of us that ye may have to answer against them, which rejoice in the face, and not in the heart.
13For whether we be out of our wit, we are it to God: or whether we be in our right mind, we are it unto you.
14For that love of Christ constraineth us,
15Because we thus judge, that if one be dead for all, then were all dead, and he died for all, that they which live, should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
16Wherefore, henceforth know we no man after the flesh, yea though we had known Christ after the flesh, yet not henceforth know we him no more.
17Therefore if any man be in Christ, let him be a new creature. Old things are passed away: behold, all things are become new.
18And all things are of God, which hath reconciled us unto himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given unto us the ministry of reconciliation.
19For God was in Christ, and reconciled the world to himself, not imputing their sins unto them, and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20Now then are we ambassadors for Christ: as though God did beseech you through us, we pray you in Christ’s stead, that ye be reconciled to God.
21For he hath made him to be sin for us, which knew no sin, that we should be made the righteousness of God in him.