1 For we know that if the ^stent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a ^thouse not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we ^ugroan, longing ^vto put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on¹ we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a ^wguarantee.²

6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for ^xwe walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and ^ywe would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For ^zwe must all appear before the ^ajudgment seat of Christ, so that ^beach one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

11 Therefore, knowing the ^cfear of the Lord, we persuade others. But ^dwhat we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 ^eWe are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause ^fto boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward ^gappearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For ^hif we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died ⁱfor all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for ^jall, that those who live might ^kno longer live for themselves but ^lfor him who for their sake died and was raised.

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one ^maccording to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a ⁿnew creation.^{3 o}The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ ^preconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling⁴ the world to himself, not ^qcounting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ^rambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake ^she made him to be sin ^twho knew no sin, ^uso that in him we might become the righteousness of God.