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[1]For we know that, if our house on earth-this of the body, were dissolved, yet we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in heaven.
[2]And on this account also, we groan, and wish to be clothed with our house from heaven:
[3]if indeed, when clothed, we shall not be found naked.
[4]For while we are here in this house, we groan under its burden; yet ye desire, not to throw it off; but to be clothed over it, so that its mortality may be absorbed in life.
[5]And he that prepareth us for this thing, is God: who hath given us the earnest of his Spirit.
[6]Therefore, because we know and are persuaded, that while we lodge in the body we sojourn away from our Lord;
[7](for we walk by faith, and not by sight ;)
[8]therefore we are confident, and desirous to be away from the body, and to be with our Lord.
[9]We are assiduous, that whether we are absent, or whether at home, we may please him.
[10]For we are all to stand before the judgment-seat of the Messiah, that each may receive retribution in the body, [for] what he hath done in it, whether of good, or whether of evil.
[11]Therefore because we know the fear of our Lord we persuade men; and we are made manifest unto God; and I hope also, we are made manifest to your minds.
[12]We do not again laud ourselves to you; but we give you occasion to glory in us, to them who glory in appearance and not in heart.
[13]For if we are extravagant, it is for God: and if we are discreet, it is for you.
[14]For the love of the Messiah constraineth us to reason thus: One died for all; therefore are all dead.
[15]And he died for all, that they who live should not live to themselves, but to him who died for them and rose again.
[16]And therefore, we know no person after the flesh: and if we have known the Messiah after the flesh, yet henceforth we know [him] no more.
[17]Whoever therefore is in the Messiah, is a new creature: old things have passed away;
[18]and all things are made new, by God; who hath reconciled us to himself by the Messiah, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.
[19]For God was in the Messiah, who hath reconciled the world with his majesty, and did not reckon to them their sins; and who hath placed in us the word of reconciliation.
[20]We are therefore ambassadors for the Messiah, and it is as if God was beseeching you by us. In behalf of the Messiah, therefore, we beseech [you], be ye reconciled to God.
[21]For, on your account, he hath made him who knew no sin to be sin, that we might by him become the righteousness of God.
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