Add parallel Print Page Options

1-4 We know, for instance, that if our earthly dwelling were taken down, like a tent, we have a permanent house in Heaven, made, not by man, but by God. In this present frame we sigh with deep longing for the heavenly house, for we do not want to face utter nakedness when death destroys our present dwelling—these bodies of ours. So long as we are clothed in this temporary dwelling we have a painful longing, not because we want just to get rid of these “clothes” but because we want to know the full cover of the permanent house that will be ours. We want our transitory life to be absorbed into the life that is eternal.

Read full chapter

Meanwhile we groan,(A) longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,(B) because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan(C) and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,(D) so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

Read full chapter