Our Future after Death

5 For we know that if our earthly tent we live in^(A) is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens,^(B) not made with hands.^{(C) 2} Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring^(D) to put on our heavenly dwelling, ³ since, when we are clothed,^[a] we will not be found naked.^{(E) 4} Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality^(F) may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.

⁶ So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ⁷ For we walk by faith,^(G) not by sight.^{(H) 8} In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.^{(I) 9} Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing^(J) to him. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat^(K) of Christ,^(L) so that each may be repaid^(M) for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

¹¹ Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord,^(N) we try to persuade people. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your consciences. ¹² We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who take pride in outward appearance rather than in the heart. ¹³ For if we are out of our mind,^(O) it is for God; if we are in our right mind,^(P) it is for you. ¹⁴ For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion, that one died for all,^(Q) and therefore all died. ¹⁵ And he died for all^(R) so that those who live should no longer live for themselves,^(S) but for the one^(T) who died for them and was raised.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

¹⁶ From now on, then, we do not know anyone from a worldly perspective.^[b] Even if we have known Christ from a worldly perspective,^[c] yet now we no longer know him in this way. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;^(U) the old has passed away, and see,^(V) the new has^[d] come!^{(W) 18} Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.^{(X) 19} That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world^(Y) to himself,^(Z) not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.

²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors^(AA) for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf,^(AB) “Be reconciled to God.” ²¹ He made the one who did not know sin^(AC) to be sin^[e] for us,^(AD) so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

6 Working together with him, we also appeal to you, “Don’t receive the grace of God in vain.” ² For he says:

See, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation!^(AF)

The Character of Paul’s Ministry

³ We are not giving anyone an occasion for offense, so that the ministry will not be blamed. ⁴ Instead, as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves in everything: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardships, by difficulties, ⁵ by beatings, by imprisonments,^(AG) by riots, by labors, by sleepless nights, by times of hunger, ⁶ by purity,^(AH) by knowledge,^(AI) by patience,^(AJ) by kindness,^(AK) by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,^{(AL) 7} by the word of truth,^[g](AM) by the power of God;^(AN) through weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, ⁸ through glory^(AO) and dishonor, through slander and good report; regarded as deceivers, yet true; ⁹ as unknown, yet recognized; as dying, yet see—we live; as being disciplined, yet not killed; ¹⁰ as grieving, yet always rejoicing;^(AP) as poor, yet enriching many; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. ¹¹ We have spoken openly to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide. ¹² We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. ¹³ I speak as to my children; as a proper response, open your heart to us.

Separation to God

¹⁴ Do not be yoked together with those who do not believe. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness?^(AQ) Or what fellowship does light^(AR) have with darkness?^{(AS) 15} What agreement does Christ have with Belial?^[h] Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ And what agreement does the temple of God have with idols?^(AT) For we^[i] are the temple of the living God, as God said: