²² For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains^(A) until now. ²³ Not only that,^(B) but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits^(C)—we also groan within ourselves,^(D) eagerly waiting for adoption,^(E) the redemption of our bodies.^{(F) 24} Now in this hope^(G) we were saved, but hope^(H) that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? ²⁵ Now if we hope for what we do not see,^(I) we eagerly wait for it with patience.

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.

¹⁰ My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings,^(A) being conformed to his death,^{(B) 11} assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.

Reaching Forward to God’s Goal

¹² Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold^(C) of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not^[a] consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind^(D) and reaching forward to what is ahead, ¹⁴ I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly^[b] call in Christ Jesus.^(E)

¹³ These all died in faith, although they had not received the things that were promised. But they saw them from a distance,^(A) greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth.^{(B) 14} Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. ¹⁵ If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But they now desire a better place—a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.^(C)