⁸ we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

¹¹ Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in `all' holy living and godliness,

¹² looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

⁹ Wherefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing unto him.

⁶ Being therefore always of good courage, and knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord

² I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to the third heaven.

³ And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth),

²⁰ according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing shall I be put to shame, but `that' with all boldness, as always, `so' now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.

²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

²² But if to live in the flesh, --`if' this shall bring fruit from my work, then what I shall choose I know not.

²³ But I am in a strait betwixt the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ; for it is very far better:

²⁴ yet to abide in the flesh is more needful for your sake.

⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith:

⁸ henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.

¹⁴ knowing that the putting off of my tabernacle cometh swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ signified unto me.

¹⁵ Yea, I will give diligence that at every time ye may be able after my decease to call these things to remembrance.

² Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is.

¹⁴ And I say unto him, My lord, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they that come of the great tribulation, and they washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

¹⁵ Therefore are they before the throne of God; and they serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall spread his tabernacle over them.

¹⁶ They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun strike upon them, nor any heat:

¹⁷ for the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them unto fountains of waters of life: and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes.

¹³ Then Paul answered, What do ye, weeping and breaking my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

²⁴ Father, I desire that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

¹¹ Thou wilt show me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; In thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 17 A Prayer of David.

¹⁵ As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with `beholding' thy form. Psalm 18 For the Chief Musician. `A Psalm' of David the servant of Jehovah, who spake unto Jehovah the words of this song in the day that Jehovah delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: and he said,

²³ Nevertheless I am continually with thee: Thou hast holden my right hand.

²⁴ Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.

²⁵ Whom have I in heaven `but thee'? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.

²⁶ My flesh and my heart faileth; `But' God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.

²¹ His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

²³ His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

²⁹ Now lettest thou thy servant depart, Lord, According to thy word, in peace;

³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, `there' ye may be also.

³ And there shall be no curse any more: and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be therein: and his servants shall serve him;

¹⁷ then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

¹⁸ Wherefore comfort one another with these words.