1 | For we know that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. |
2 | For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: |
3 | If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. |
4 | For we that are in [this] tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. |
5 | Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing [is] God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. |
6 | Therefore [we are] always confident, knowing that, whilst 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, [I say], and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. |
9 | Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. |
10 | For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad. |
11 | Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. |
12 | For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to [answer] them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. |
13 | For whether we be beside ourselves, [it is] to God: or whether we be sober, [it is] for your cause. |
14 | For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: |
15 | And [that] he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. |
16 | Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we [him] no more. |
17 | Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. |
18 | And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; |
19 | To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. |
20 | Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. |
21 | For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. |