⁸ Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

²⁰ It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way but that by my speaking with all boldness Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death.^{(A) 21} For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. ²² If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me, yet I cannot say which I will choose. ²³ I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better,^{(B) 24} but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you.

² Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he^[a] is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is.^(A)

⁶ So we are always confident, even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord—

² I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows.^{(A) 3} And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows—

⁹ So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him.

³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.^(A)

¹¹ Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, ¹² waiting for and hastening^[a] the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and destroyed and the elements will melt with fire?

¹⁴ since I know that my death^[a] will come soon, as indeed our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.^{(A) 15} And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.