17 For aour light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 bwhile we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Assurance of the Resurrection

5 For we know that if aour earthly 1house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house bnot made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this cwe groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our 2habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, dhaving been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, ebut further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also fhas given us the Spirit as 3a guarantee.

6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For gwe walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, hwell pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

The Judgment Seat of Christ

9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 iFor we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, jthat each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, kthe terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.

Be Reconciled to God

12 For lwe do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity mto boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. 13 For nif we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you.