1 For we know that if the earthly house of our tent is dissolved, we
have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the
heavens. 2 For most assuredly in this we groan, longing to be clothed with
our habitation which is from heaven; 3 if so be that being clothed we will
not be found naked. 4 For indeed we who are in this tent do groan, being
burdened; not that we desire to be unclothed, but that we desire to be
clothed, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now he who
made us for this very thing is God, who also gave to us the down payment of
the Spirit.
6 Being therefore always of good courage, and 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 of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to
be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore also
we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well pleasing to him.
10 For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ; that
each one may receive the things in the body, according to what he has done,
whether good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we
persuade men, but we are revealed to God; and I hope that we are revealed
also in your consciences. 12 For we are not commending ourselves to you
again, but speak as giving you occasion of boasting on our behalf, that
you may have something to answer those who boast in appearance, and not
in heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God. Or if we are
of sober mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ constrains us;
because we judge thus, that one died for all, therefore all died. 15 He
died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to
him who for their sakes died and rose again. 16 Therefore we know no one
after the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Christ after the
flesh, yet now we know him so no more. 17 Therefore if anyone is in
Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all
things have become new. 18 But all things are of God, who reconciled us to
himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not
reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of
reconciliation. 20 We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as
though God were entreating by us. We beg you on behalf of Christ, be
reconciled to God. 21 For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our
behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
World English Bible - Public Domain |
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