1For we know that if the earthly tent in which we live is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2For in this house we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our dwelling which is from heaven: 3So that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened: not that we would be unclothed, but rather further clothed, that mortality might be swallowed up by life. 5Now he who has made us for this very thing is God, who has also given to us the Spirit as a pledge. 6Therefore, 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:) 8We are confident, and would rather be absent from the body, and present with the Lord. 9Therefore we labour, that whether at home or absent, we may please him. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive what is due him for the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men. But what we are is plain to God; and I also trust it is plain to your consciences. 12For we do not commend ourselves to you again, but give you occasion to be proud of us, that you may have something to answer those who take pride in appearance, and not in the heart. 13For if we are out of our minds, it is for God: or if we are in our right minds, it is for you. 14For the love of Christ controls us; because we are convinced that one died for all, therefore all died: 15And he died for all, that those who live should not henceforth live for themselves, but for him who died for them, and rose again. 16Therefore, we no longer regard man according to the flesh: though once we regarded Christ according to the flesh, yet now we regard him thus no longer. 17Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. 18And all these things are from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19That is, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not counting men's sins against them; and he has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were making his appeal through us: we beg you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 21For our sakes he has made him to be sin, who knew no sin; that in him we might become the righteousness of God.