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2 Corinthians 5
1 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 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
4 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 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
10 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.
11 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.
(8,6,8,6)
Soon shall this earthly frame, dissolved,
in death and ruins lie;
But better mansions wait the just,
prepared above the sky.
An house eternal, built by God,
shall lodge the holy mind,
When once those prison-walIs have fall’n
by which ‘tis now confined.
Hence, burdened with a weight of clay,
we groan beneath the load,
Waiting the hour which sets us free,
and brings us home to God.
We know, that when the soul, unclothed,
shall from this body fly,
’Twill animate a purer frame
with life that cannot die.
Such are the hopes that cheer the just;
these hopes their God hath giv’n;
His Spirit is the earnest now,
and seals their souls for heav’n.
We walk by faith of joys to come,
faith grounded on his word;
But while this body is our home,
we mourn an absent Lord.
What faith rejoices to believe,
we long and pant to see;
we would be absent from the flesh,
and present, Lord! with thee.
But still, or here, or going hence,
to this our labours tend,
That, in his service spent, our life
may in his favour end.
For, lo! before the Son, as judge,
th’ assembled world shall stand,
To take the punishment or prize
from his unerring hand.
Impartial retributions then
our diff’rent lives await;
Our present actions, good or bad,
shall fix our future fate.
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