Study Desk

For our momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,

while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

For we know that if our earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made by hands, eternal in the heavens.

For indeed, in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven,

For indeed, we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life.

Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a pledge.

for we walk by faith, not by sight—

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive compensation for his deeds done through the body, in accordance with what he has done, whether good or bad.

We are not commending ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.

For if we have lost our minds, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.

For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;

and He died for all, so that those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

for He says, "AT A FAVORABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON A DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU." Behold, now is "A FAVORABLE TIME," behold, now is "A DAY OF SALVATION"—

giving no reason for taking offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited,

in the word of truth, and in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,

Do not be mismatched with unbelievers; for what do righteousness and lawlessness share together, or what does light have in common with darkness?

Or what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL AMONG THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.

Make room for us in your hearts; we have wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one.

I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.