Read the New Testament in 24 Weeks

5 ¶ For we know that if the earthly house of this our habitation were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

² For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven,

³ if so be that we shall be found clothed and not naked.

⁴ For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened, for we do not desire to be unclothed, but to be clothed upon with life swallowing up that which is mortal.

⁵ Now he that has made us for this same thing is God, who has likewise given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

⁶ Therefore we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord

⁷ (for we walk by faith, not by sight).

⁸ We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

⁹ Therefore we also procure, whether present or absent, that we may please him.

¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may receive according to that which they have done in the body, good or evil.

¹¹ Therefore being certain of that terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God, and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

¹² ¶ For we do not commend ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf that ye may have something to answer those who glory in appearance, and not in heart.

¹³ For whether we are fools, it is unto God; or whether we are sane, it is for your cause.

¹⁴ For the charity of the Christ constrains us because we judge thus: that if one died for all, then all are dead:

¹⁵ And that he died for all that those who live should not live from now on unto themselves, but unto him who died and rose again for them.

¹⁶ ¶ Therefore from now on we know no one according to the flesh: and even if we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him no longer.

¹⁷ Therefore if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are made new.

¹⁸ And all this by God, who reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

¹⁹ for certainly God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them and having placed in us the word of reconciliation.

²⁰ Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did exhort you by us; we beseech you in Christ’s name, be ye reconciled to God.

²¹ For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

6 ¶ We then, as workers together with him, exhort you also that ye have not received the grace of God in vain.

² (For he saith, I have heard thee in an acceptable time, and in the day of saving health I have succoured thee; behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of saving health.)

³ Giving no offense in anything, that the ministry not be blamed,

⁴ But in all things showing ourselves as the ministers of God in much patience, in tribulations, in necessities, in distresses,

⁵ in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings,

⁶ in chastity, in knowledge, in meekness, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in unfeigned charity,

⁷ in the word of truth, in the power of God through the weapons of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

⁸ through honour and dishonour, through evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet as men of the truth;

⁹ as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, but, behold, we live; as chastened, but not killed;

¹⁰ as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

¹¹ ¶ O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.

¹² Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.

¹³ Now for a recompense in the same (I speak as unto my children), be ye also enlarged.

¹⁴ Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers, for what fellowship does righteousness have with unrighteousness? and what communion does light have with darkness?

¹⁵ And what concord does Christ have with Belial? or what part do the faithful have with the unfaithful?

¹⁶ And what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

¹⁷ Therefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and do not touch the unclean thing; and I will receive you

¹⁸ and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.