1For we know that, if our house on earth-this of the body, were dissolved, yet we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in heaven. 2And on this account also, we groan, and wish to be clothed with our house from heaven: 3if indeed, when clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4For while we are here in this house, we groan under its burden; yet ye desire, not to throw it off; but to be clothed over it, so that its mortality may be absorbed in life. 5And he that prepareth us for this thing, is God: who hath given us the earnest of his Spirit. 6Therefore, because we know and are persuaded, that while we lodge in the body we sojourn away from our Lord; 7(for we walk by faith, and not by sight ;) 8therefore we are confident, and desirous to be away from the body, and to be with our Lord. 9We are assiduous, that whether we are absent, or whether at home, we may please him. 10For we are all to stand before the judgment-seat of the Messiah, that each may receive retribution in the body, for what he hath done in it, whether of good, or whether of evil. 11Therefore because we know the fear of our Lord we persuade men; and we are made manifest unto God; and I hope also, we are made manifest to your minds. 12We do not again laud ourselves to you; but we give you occasion to glory in us, to them who glory in appearance and not in heart. 13For if we are extravagant, it is for God: and if we are discreet, it is for you. 14For the love of the Messiah constraineth us to reason thus: One died for all; therefore are all dead. 15And he died for all, that they who live should not live to themselves, but to him who died for them and rose again. 16And therefore, we know no person after the flesh: and if we have known the Messiah after the flesh, yet henceforth we know him no more. 17Whoever therefore is in the Messiah, is a new creature: old things have passed away; 18and all things are made new, by God; who hath reconciled us to himself by the Messiah, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. 19For God was in the Messiah, who hath reconciled the world with his majesty, and did not reckon to them their sins; and who hath placed in us the word of reconciliation. 20We are therefore ambassadors for the Messiah, and it is as if God was beseeching you by us. In behalf of the Messiah, therefore, we beseech you, be ye reconciled to God. 21For, on your account, he hath made him who knew no sin to be sin, that we might by him become the righteousness of God.