1. For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven,
3. inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked.
4. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life.
5. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.
6. Therefore, being 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 prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.
9. Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.
10. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
11. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.
12. We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.