1 For we know that if our earthly dwelling—the tent—is taken down, we have from God {Theos, Giver of Eternal Dwelling} a building, a house not made with hands {acheiropoiēton: divinely crafted}, enduring forever in the heavens.
2 For indeed, in this {touto: present mortal state} we groan, because we long to be clothed with the dwelling {oiketerion: heavenly habitation} that is from heaven.
3 If indeed, being clothed {endysamenoi: spiritually clothed}, we will not be found naked {gymnoi: without covering}.
4 Since we are still in this tent {skene: temporary dwelling}, we groan, weighed down—not because we desire to be unclothed, but to be clothed over, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life {zoe: divine vitality}.
5 Now the One who has prepared us for this very thing is God {Theos, Purposeful Worker}, and He has given us the guarantee {arrabon: down payment} of the Spirit.
6 Therefore, we are always confident {tharrountes: possessing bold courage} and understand that while we are in the body, we are apart from the Lord {Kyrios, Present Yet Unseen}.
7 For we conduct our walk by faith {pisteos: believing trust}, not by sight {eidous: outward appearance}.
8 We are confident, and we prefer rather to be away {ekdemesai: depart earthly life} from the body and to be at home with the Lord {Kyrios, Desired Indwelling Presence}.
9 Therefore we also strive {philotimoumetha: eager ambition}, whether at home or away, to be pleasing to Him {Christos, Worthy Lord}.
10 All of us must stand revealed before the judgment seat {bēma: judgment platform} of Christ {Christos, Appointed Judge}, so that each one may receive what is proper for the deeds done through the body according to what he has practiced, whether good {agathon: truly beneficial} or bad.
11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord {Kyrios, Revered Judge}, we persuade people but have been made manifest to God {Theos, All-Seeing Witness}, and I hope that we are also made manifest in your consciences.
12 We are not again commending ourselves to you, but are giving you an opportunity {aphormen: favorable opening} to boast about us, so that you may have an answer for those who boast in outward appearance and not in heart {kardia: inner character}.
13 For if we are beside ourselves {exestemen: ecstatic state}, it is for God {Theos, Focus Of Devotion}; and if we are of sound mind, it is for you.
14 For the love {agape: covenantal devotion} of Christ {Christos, Self-Giving Redeemer} holds us fast, having judged this: that One died for all; therefore all have died.
15 And He {Christos, Self-Giving Lord} died for all, so that those who live should no longer {meketi: ever again} live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised.
16 Therefore, from now on we know no one according to the flesh {sarx: merely human perspective}; even if we have known Christ {Christos, Exalted Lord} according to the flesh, we do not know Him any longer.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ {Christos, New Creation Maker}, there is a new creation; the former things {archaia: Former Realities} have passed away—behold, new realities have emerged.
18 But everything originates with God {Theos, Reconciling Source}, who reconciled us to Himself by means of Christ {Christos, Mediating Savior} and has entrusted to us the ministry of reconciliation.
19 That is, God {Theos, Gracious Reconciler} was in Christ {Christos, Saving Mediator}, reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has placed in us the word of reconciliation.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors on behalf of Christ {Christos, Represented Lord}, as though God {Theos, Initiating Reconciler} were making His appeal through us; we implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
21 He made the One who had never known sin {hamartia: guilt-bearing offense} to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God {Theos, Righteousness Giver} in Him.