1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in Heaven.

2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our dwelling place out of Heaven,

3 if indeed, being clothed, we shall not be found naked.

4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.

5 Now He who has fashioned us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the earnest of the Spirit.

6 So we are always confident, 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 confident, yes, preferring rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

9 Therefore we strive, whether at home or away, to be well pleasing to Him.

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; and we are well known to God, and I also hope are well known in your consciences.

12 For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you occasion to rejoice on our behalf, that you may have an answer for 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 sound mind, it is for you.

14 For the love of Christ holds us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;

15 and He died for all, that those who live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto Him who died for them and rose again.

16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.

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

18 Now all things are from God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,

19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the Word of reconciliation.

20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ. As God is exhorting through us, we beseech you on Christ’s behalf, Be reconciled to God.

21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.