² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there^(A) to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back^(B) and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.^(C)

⁴⁶ The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual.^{(A) 47} The first man was of the dust of the earth;^(B) the second man is of heaven.^{(C) 48} As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven.^(D)

⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay^(A) to show that this all-surpassing power is from God^(B) and not from us.

Awaiting the New Body

5 For we know that if the earthly^(A) tent^(B) we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. ² Meanwhile we groan,^(C) longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,^{(D) 3} because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. ⁴ For while we are in this tent, we groan^(E) and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,^(F) so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.^(G)

⁶ Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ⁷ For we live by faith, not by sight.^{(H) 8} We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.^{(I) 9} So we make it our goal to please him,^(J) whether we are at home in the body or away from it. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us^(K) for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

²¹ For to me, to live is Christ^(A) and to die is gain. ²² If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! ²³ I am torn between the two: I desire to depart^(B) and be with Christ,^(C) which is better by far; ²⁴ but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

Confirming One’s Calling and Election

³ His divine power^(A) has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him^(B) who called us^(C) by his own glory and goodness. ⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises,^(D) so that through them you may participate in the divine nature,^(E) having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.^(F)

⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;^(G)

¹³ I think it is right to refresh your memory^(A) as long as I live in the tent of this body,^{(B) 14} because I know that I will soon put it aside,^(C) as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.^(D)