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.^(A)

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.^{(B) 8} We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.^{(C) 9} So we make it our goal to please him,^(D) 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^(E) 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,^(F) we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.^(G)