因为我们知道，我们这地上的帐篷若拆毁了，我们将有神所造的居所，不是人手所造的，而是在天上永存的。
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2我们在这帐篷里叹息，渴望得到那从天上来的居所，好像穿上衣服；For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
3倘若脱下也☛有古卷是“倘若穿上就”。不至于赤身了。If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
4其实，我们在这帐篷里的人劳苦叹息，并不是愿意脱下地上的帐篷，而是愿意穿上天上的居所，好使这必死的被生命吞灭了。For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
5那为我们安排这事的是神，他赐给我们圣灵作凭据☛“凭据”：原文直译“质”。。Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
6所以，我们总是勇敢的，并且知道，只要我们住在这身体内就是离开了主。Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7因为我们行事为人是凭着信心，不是凭着眼见。(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
8我们勇敢，更情愿离开身体，与主同住。We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
9所以，无论是住在身内或住在身外，我们都立了志向要得主的喜悦。Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
10因为我们众人必须站在基督审判台前受审，为使各人按着本身所行的，或善或恶受报。For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
劝人与神和好的职分
11既然我们知道主是可畏的，就劝导人；但是神是认识我们的，我盼望你们的良心也认识我们。Knowing therefore the 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我们不是向你们再推荐自己，而是要让你们有夸耀我们的机会，使你们好面对那凭外貌、不凭内心夸耀的人。For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
13如果我们癫狂，是为神；如果我们清醒，是为你们。For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
14原来基督的爱激励我们；因我们这样断定，一人既替众人死，众人就都死了；For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
15并且他替众人死，是叫那些活着的人不再为自己活，乃为替他们死而复活的主活。And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
16所以，从今以后，我们不再按照人的看法来认识人，纵使我们曾经按照人的看法认识基督，如今却不再这样认识他了。Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
17所以，若有人在基督里，他就是新造的人，旧事已过，都变成新的了。Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18一切都是出于神；他藉着基督使我们与他和好，又将劝人与他和好的使命赐给我们。And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19这就是：神在基督里使世人与自己和好，不将他们的过犯归到他们身上，并且将这和好的信息托付了我们。To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20所以，我们作基督的特使，就好像神藉我们劝你们一般。我们替基督求你们，与神和好吧！Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21神使那无罪☛“无罪”：原文直译“不知罪”。的，替我们成为罪，好使我们在他里面成为神的义。For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.