1For we knowthat ifthe earthlytentwhich is our houseis torn down,we havea buildingfrom God,a housenot made with hands,eternalin the heavens.2For indeedin this[house] we groan,longingto be clothedwith our dwellingfrom heaven,3inasmuchas we, having putit on, will not be foundnaked.4For indeedwhile we are in thistent,we groan,being burdened,becausewe do not wantto be unclothedbut to be clothed,sothat what is mortalwill be swallowedup by life.5NowHe who preparedus for thisverypurpose is God,who gaveto us the Spiritas a pledge.
6Therefore,being alwaysof good courage,and knowingthat while we are at homein the bodywe are absentfrom the Lord--7for we walkby faith,not by sight--8we are of good courage,I say, and preferratherto be absentfrom the bodyand to be at homewith the Lord.9Thereforewe alsohave as our ambition,whetherat homeorabsent,to be pleasingto Him.10For we mustallappearbeforethe judgment seatof Christ,sothat each onemay be recompensedfor his deeds in the body,accordingto whathe has done,whethergoodorbad.
11Therefore,knowingthe fearof the Lord,we persuademen,but we are mademanifestto God;and I hopethat we are made manifestalsoin your consciences.12We are not againcommendingourselvesto you but [are] givingyou an occasionto be proudof us, sothat you will have[an answer] for thosewho take pridein appearanceand not in heart.13For ifwe are beside ourselves,it is for God;ifwe are of sound mind,it is for you.14For the loveof Christcontrolsus, having concludedthis,that onediedfor all,thereforealldied;15and He diedfor all,sothat they who livemight no longerlivefor themselves,but for Him who diedand rose againon their behalf.
16Thereforefrom nowon we recognizeno oneaccordingto the flesh;eventhoughwe have knownChristaccordingto the flesh,yetnowwe know[Him] [in this way] no longer.17Thereforeifanyoneis in Christ,[he is] a newcreature;the old thingspassed away;behold,new thingshave come.18Nowall [these] thingsare from God,whoreconciledus to HimselfthroughChristand gaveus the ministryof reconciliation,19namely,that Godwas in Christreconcilingthe worldto Himself,not countingtheir trespassesagainst them, and He has committedto us the wordof reconciliation.
20Therefore,we are ambassadorsfor Christ,as thoughGodwere making an appealthroughus; we begyou on behalfof Christ,be reconciledto God.21He madeHim who knewnosin[to be] sinon our behalf,sothat we might becomethe righteousnessof Godin Him.
