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¹ For we know that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.² For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our house which is from heaven:³ If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.⁴ For we that are in [this] tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not because we would be unclothed, but clothed, that mortality might be swallowed up in life.⁵ Now he that hath wrought us for this same thing [is] God, who also hath given to us the earnest of the Spirit.⁶ Therefore [we are] always confident, knowing that, while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:⁷ (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)⁸ We are confident, [I say], and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.⁹ Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted by him.¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to what he hath done, whether good or bad.¹¹ Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest to God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

¹² For we commend not ourselves again to you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to [answer] them who glory in appearance, and not in heart.¹³ For whether we are beside ourselves, [it is] to God: or whether we are sober, [it is] for your cause.¹⁴ For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:¹⁵ And [that] he died for all, that they who live should not henceforth live to themselves, but to him who died for them, and rose again.

¹⁶ Wherefore henceforth we know no man according to the flesh: though indeed we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now henceforth we know [him] no more.¹⁷ Therefore, if any man [is] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.¹⁸ And all things [are] from God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;¹⁹ To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation.²⁰ Now then we are embassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.²¹ For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.