⁸ Yes, we are of good courage, and we ^(A)would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

²⁰ as it is my eager expectation and hope ^(A)that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full ^(B)courage now as always Christ ^(C)will be honored in my body, ^(D)whether by life or by death. ²¹ For to me ^(E)to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²² If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. ^23 (F)I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is ^(G)to depart and ^(H)be with Christ, for that is far better. ²⁴ But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.

⁶ So we are always of good courage. We know that ^(A)while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord,

² Beloved, we are ^(A)God's children ^(B)now, and what we will be ^(C)has not yet appeared; but we know that ^(D)when he appears^{[a] (E)}we shall be like him, because ^(F)we shall see him as he is.

² I know a man ^(A)in Christ who fourteen years ago was ^(B)caught up to ^(C)the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, ^(D)God knows. ³ And I know that this man was caught up into ^(E)paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, ^(F)God knows—

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

⁹ So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to ^(A)please him.