This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in {both} which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

Knowing that shortly I must put off {this} my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.

Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; {and} them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

We are confident, {I say}, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know {them}, and be established in the present truth.

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.

And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,

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.

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

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.

Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. {I have...: or, ye have me in your heart} {of my...: or, with me of grace}

Of these things put {them} in remembrance, charging {them} before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, {but} to the subverting of the hearers.

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know {them}, and be established in the present truth.

But I must die in this land, I must not go over Jordan: but ye shall go over, and possess that good land.

Now these {be} the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man {who was} raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,

This is the sum of the tabernacle, {even} of the tabernacle of testimony, as it was counted, according to the commandment of Moses, {for} the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son to Aaron the priest.

Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth {part} of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his! {me: Heb. my soul, or, my life}

And he said unto them, I {am} an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the LORD hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.

Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,

And David said, Solomon my son {is} young and tender, and the house {that is} to be builded for the LORD {must be} exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will {therefore} now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.

Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd's tent: I have cut off like a weaver my life: he will cut me off with pining sickness: from day {even} to night wilt thou make an end of me. {with...: or, from the thrum}

Blessed {is} that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

And if Christ {be} in you, the body {is} dead because of sin; but the Spirit {is} life because of righteousness.

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have {sufficient} to finish {it}?