2 Corinthians 4
1 Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we don’t faint.
Therefore, since we have this ministry through God's mercy, we do not lose heart.
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.
Rather, we have renounced shameful hidden deeds; we do not act deceitfully or distort the word of God, but by openly proclaiming the truth we commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.
3 Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who are dying,
But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing.
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)
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers like them, so that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, might not dawn upon them. (aiōn g165)
5 For we don’t preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake,
For what we preach is not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.
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.
For God, who commanded light to shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give us 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 treasure in jars of clay, to show that this extraordinary power is from God and not from us.
8 We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair;
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
9 pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed;
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
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.
always carrying about in our bodies the death of the Lord Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed 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 we who live are always being delivered up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death works in us, but life in you.
So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work 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,
It is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe, therefore we also speak.
14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will present us with you.
For we know that he who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us through Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.
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.
All of this is for your benefit, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may cause thanksgiving to abound 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.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though on the outside we are wasting away, on the inside we are being renewed 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 light and momentary affliction is bringing about for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all measure, (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)
as we look not to what is seen, but to what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (aiōnios g166)
