⁸ We are confident, yes, ^(A)well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

The Judgment Seat of Christ

⁹ Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. ^10 (B)For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, ^(C)that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Heavenly Versus Demonic Wisdom

^13 (A)Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.

The Just Live by Faith

¹⁶ For ^(A)I am not ashamed of the gospel ^[a]of Christ, for ^(B)it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, ^(C)for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

¹⁶ For ^(A)the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with ^(B)the trumpet of God. ^(C)And the dead in Christ will rise first. ^17 (D)Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them ^(E)in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus ^(F)we shall always be with the Lord.