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.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

¹¹ Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord,^(L) we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.^(M)

¹⁴ Since the children have flesh and blood,^(A) he too shared in their humanity^(B) so that by his death he might break the power^(C) of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil^(D)— ¹⁵ and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear^(E) of death.

Jesus Predicts His Death^(A)

³¹ He then began to teach them that the Son of Man^(B) must suffer many things^(C) and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law,^(D) and that he must be killed^(E) and after three days^(F) rise again.^(G)

¹⁷ The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life^(A)—only to take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.^(B) I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”^(C)

²² For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.^{(A) 23} But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits;^(B) then, when he comes,^(C) those who belong to him.^(D)