1For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with human hands, eternal in the heavens. 2For in this we truly are groaning, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven; 3If indeed that being clothed, we may not be found naked. 4For we who are in this tabernacle truly do groan, being burdened; not that we wish to be unclothed, but to be clothed upon so that the mortal flesh may be swallowed up by life. 5Now He Who is working out this very thing for us is God, Who has also given us the earnest of the Spirit.

6Therefore, we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in this body, we are away from our eternal home, which is coming from the Lord. 7(For we walk by faith, not by sight. ) 8We are confident, and we are willing to be away from this home (that is, out of this body) and instead to be at home with the Lord. 9Because of this, we are also laboring so that, whether present or absent, we may be well pleasing to Him. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ so that each one may receive according to the things done in his body--what he has practiced, whether good or evil.

11So then, because we know the fear of the Lord, we are persuading men; but we are fully known to God, and I hope are also fully known in your consciences. 12For we are not commending ourselves again to you, but are giving you an occasion to boast on our behalf, so that you may have something to answer to those who themselves are boasting in physical appearance, and not in the heart. 13But if we are jubilant, it is to God; or if we are sober-minded, it is for you; 14For the love of Christ compels us, because we have thus concluded that if one died for all, then all died. 15And He died for all so that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to Him Who died for them and was raised again.

16So then, from this time forward we know no man according to the flesh; but even if we have known Christ in the flesh, yet now we no longer know Him accordingly. 17Therefore, if anyone be in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18And all things are from God, Who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19Which is, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and He has entrusted to us this message of reconciliation.

20Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ; and God, as it were, is exhorting you through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, "Be reconciled to God." 21For He made Him Who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.