[1] For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a
building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. [2]
Here indeed we groan, and long to put on our heavenly dwelling, [3] so that
by putting it on we may not be found naked. [4] For while we are still in
this tent, we sigh with anxiety; not that we would be unclothed, but that
we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by
life. [5] He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given
us the Spirit as a guarantee. [6] So we are always of good courage; we know
that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, [7] for we
walk by faith, not by sight. [8] We are of good courage, and we would
rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. [9] So whether we
are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. [10] For we must all
appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive
good or evil, according to what he has done in the body. [11] Therefore,
knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men; but what we are is known to
God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. [12] We are not
commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to be proud of us,
so that you may be able to answer those who pride themselves on a man's
position and not on his heart. [13] For if we are beside ourselves, it is
for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. [14] For the love of
Christ controls us, because we are convinced that one has died for all;
therefore all have died. [15] And he died for all, that those who live
might live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and
was raised. [16] From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human
point of view; even though we once regarded Christ from a human point of
view, we regard him thus no longer. [17] Therefore, if any one is in
Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has
come. [18] All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to
himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; [19] that is, in Christ
God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses
against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. [20] So
we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech
you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. [21] For our sake he made
him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the
righteousness of God.