1. For we know that when this tent we live in — our body here on earth — is torn down, God will have a house in heaven for us to live in, a home he himself has made, which will last for ever.
2. And now we sigh, so great is our desire that our home which comes from heaven should be put on over us;
3. by being clothed with it we shall not be without a body.
4. While we live in this earthly tent, we groan with a feeling of oppression; it is not that we want to get rid of our earthly body, but that we want to have the heavenly one put on over us, so that what is mortal will be transformed by life.
5. God is the one who has prepared us for this change, and he gave us his Spirit as the guarantee of all that he has in store for us.
6. So we are always full of courage. We know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord's home.
7. For our life is a matter of faith, not of sight.
8. We are full of courage and would much prefer to leave our home in the body and be at home with the Lord.
9. More than anything else, however, we want to please him, whether in our home here or there.
10. For all of us must appear before Christ, to be judged by him. We will each receive what we deserve, according to everything we have done, good or bad, in our bodily life.
11. We know what it means to fear the Lord, and so we try to persuade others. God knows us completely, and I hope that in your hearts you know me as well.
12. We are not trying again to recommend ourselves to you; rather, we are trying to give you a good reason to be proud of us, so that you will be able to answer those who boast about people's appearance and not about their character.
13. Are we really insane? It is for God's sake. Or are we sane? Then it is for your sake.