< 2 Corinthians 4 >

1 Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we don’t faint.
For this reason, because we have been made servants of this new order, through the mercy given to us, we are strong:
2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
And we have given up the secret things of shame, not walking in false ways, and not making use of the word of God with deceit; but by the revelation of what is true, as before God, we have the approval of every man's sense of right and wrong.
3 Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who are dying,
But if our good news is veiled, it is veiled from those who are on the way to destruction:
4 in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them. (aiōn g165)
Because the god of this world has made blind the minds of those who have not faith, so that the light of the good news of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, might not be shining on them. (aiōn g165)
5 For we don’t preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake,
For our preaching is not about ourselves, but about Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants through Jesus.
6 seeing it is God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Seeing that it is God who said, Let light be shining out of the dark, who has put in our hearts the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in clay vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves.
But we have this wealth in vessels of earth, so that it may be seen that the power comes not from us but from God;
8 We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair;
Troubles are round us on every side, but we are not shut in; things are hard for us, but we see a way out of them;
9 pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed;
We are cruelly attacked, but not without hope; we are made low, but we are not without help;
10 always carrying in the body the putting to death of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
In our bodies there is ever the mark of the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be seen in our bodies.
11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal flesh.
For, while living, we are still being given up to death because of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be seen in our flesh, though it is under the power of death.
12 So then death works in us, but life in you.
So then, death is working in us, but life in you.
13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, “I believed, and therefore I spoke.” We also believe, and therefore we also speak,
But having the same spirit of faith, as it is said in the Writings, The words of my mouth came from the faith in my heart; in the same way, our words are the outcome of our faith;
14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will present us with you.
Because we are certain that he who made the Lord Jesus come back from the dead, will do the same for us, and will give us a place in his glory with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
For we go through all things on account of you, because the greater the number to whom the grace is given, the greater is the praise to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we don’t faint, but though our outward person is decaying, yet our inward person is renewed day by day.
For which cause we do not give way to weariness; but though our outer man is getting feebler, our inner man is made new day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory, (aiōnios g166)
For our present trouble, which is only for a short time, is working out for us a much greater weight of glory; (aiōnios g166)
18 while we don’t look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (aiōnios g166)
While our minds are not on the things which are seen, but on the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are for a time; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (aiōnios g166)

< 2 Corinthians 4 >