1 ¶ For we know that if the earthly tent that we live in is torn down, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, that has not been made with hands.

2 Meanwhile we groan, yearning to be clothed with our heavenly habitation:

3 Since once we are clothed with it we will never again be found naked.

4 For while we are in this tent we groan, being burdened: not because we want to be unclothed, but clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that our mortality might be swallowed up by life.

5 Now God, who made us for that very purpose, has also given us his Spirit as a pledge.

6 Therefore 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 Indeed, we have courage, and would prefer to be absent from the body, and present with the Lord.

9 Therefore, whether at home or away, we make it our goal, to please him.

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

11 Since we know the terror of the Lord, we strive to convince men; but what we are is plain to God; and I hope it is also plain to your consciences.

12 ¶ Not that we are commending ourselves to you again, but we are giving you an opportunity to speak in our defense, so that you may have an answer for those who boast about outward things, not what is in heart.

13 For if we are carried away by excitement, it is for God: if we are calm and reflective, it is for your benefit.

14 For we are motivated by the love of Christ; because we are convinced, that if one died for all, then all died:

15 And he died for all, so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them, and rose again.

16 ¶ Therefore we no longer think of anyone only in terms of the flesh: In fact, even though we previously thought of Christ in that way, we no longer do.

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

18 And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not counting their sins against them; and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20 Accordingly, we are Christ’s ambassadors, as if God were appealing to you by us: we plead with you in Christ’s stead, be reconciled to God.

21 For God made him who knew no sin, to be sin for us; so that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.