Study Desk

For we know that if our ^(F1)(C1)earthly ^(C2)tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house ^(C3)not made by hands, eternal in the heavens.

For indeed, in this tent we ^(C1)groan, longing to be ^(C2)clothed with our ^(F1)dwelling from heaven,

since in fact after putting it on, we will not be found naked.

For indeed, we who are in this tent ^(C1)groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be ^(C2)clothed, so that what is ^(C3)mortal will be swallowed up by life.

Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who ^(C1)gave us the Spirit as a ^(F1)pledge.

Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that ^(C1)while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord—

for ^(C1)we walk by faith, not by ^(F1)sight—

but we are of good courage and ^(C1)prefer rather to be absent from the body and ^(C2)to be at home with the Lord.

Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be ^(C1)pleasing to Him.

For we must all appear before ^(C1)the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive compensation for ^(F1)his deeds done through the body, in accordance with what he has done, whether good or bad.

Therefore, knowing the ^(C1)fear of the Lord, we persuade people, but we are well known to God; and I hope that we are also ^(C2)well known in your consciences.

We are not commending ourselves to you ^(C1)again, but are giving you an ^(C2)opportunity to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.

For if we have ^(C1)lost our minds, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.

For the love of Christ ^(C1)controls us, having concluded this, that ^(C2)one died for all, therefore all died;

and He died for all, so that those who live would no longer ^(C1)live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf.

Therefore from now on we recognize no one ^(F1)(C1)by the flesh; even though we have known Christ by the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.

Therefore if anyone is ^(C1)in Christ, this person is ^(C2)a new ^(F1)creation; ^(C3)the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Now ^(C1)all these things are from God, ^(C2)who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ^(C3)ministry of reconciliation,

namely, that ^(C1)God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, ^(C2)not counting their wrongdoings against them, and ^(F1)He has ^(F2)committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Therefore, we are ^(C1)ambassadors for Christ, ^(C2)as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be ^(C3)reconciled to God.

He made Him who ^(C1)knew no sin to be ^(F1)(C2)sin in our behalf, so that we might become the ^(C3)righteousness of God in Him.