Προς Κορινθιους Β΄ 4
1 δια τουτο εχοντες την διακονιαν ταυτην καθως ηλεηθημεν ουκ εκκακουμεν
Therefore, because we have this ministry, and just as we have received mercy, we do not become discouraged.
2 αλλα απειπαμεθα τα κρυπτα της αισχυνης μη περιπατουντες εν πανουργια μηδε δολουντες τον λογον του θεου αλλα τη φανερωσει της αληθειας συνιστωντες εαυτους προς πασαν συνειδησιν ανθρωπων ενωπιον του θεου
Instead, we have rejected secret and shameful ways. We do not live by craftiness, and we do not mishandle the word of God. By presenting the truth, we recommend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.
3 ει δε και εστιν κεκαλυμμενον το ευαγγελιον ημων εν τοις απολλυμενοις εστιν κεκαλυμμενον
But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing.
4 εν οις ο θεος του αιωνος τουτου ετυφλωσεν τα νοηματα των απιστων εις το μη αυγασαι αυτοις τον φωτισμον του ευαγγελιου της δοξης του χριστου ος εστιν εικων του θεου (aiōn g165)
In their case, the god of this world has blinded their unbelieving minds. As a result, they are not able to see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (aiōn g165)
5 ου γαρ εαυτους κηρυσσομεν αλλα χριστον ιησουν κυριον εαυτους δε δουλους υμων δια ιησουν
For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.
6 οτι ο θεος ο ειπων εκ σκοτους φως λαμψαι ος ελαμψεν εν ταις καρδιαις ημων προς φωτισμον της γνωσεως της δοξης του θεου εν προσωπω ιησου χριστου
For God is the one who said, “Light will shine out of darkness.” He has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the presence of Jesus Christ.
7 εχομεν δε τον θησαυρον τουτον εν οστρακινοις σκευεσιν ινα η υπερβολη της δυναμεως η του θεου και μη εξ ημων
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, so that it is clear that the exceedingly great power belongs to God and not to us.
8 εν παντι θλιβομενοι αλλ ου στενοχωρουμενοι απορουμενοι αλλ ουκ εξαπορουμενοι
We are afflicted in every way, but not overwhelmed. We are perplexed but not filled with despair.
9 διωκομενοι αλλ ουκ εγκαταλειπομενοι καταβαλλομενοι αλλ ουκ απολλυμενοι
We are persecuted but not forsaken. We are struck down but not destroyed.
10 παντοτε την νεκρωσιν του κυριου ιησου εν τω σωματι περιφεροντες ινα και η ζωη του ιησου εν τω σωματι ημων φανερωθη
We always carry in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be shown in our bodies.
11 αει γαρ ημεις οι ζωντες εις θανατον παραδιδομεθα δια ιησουν ινα και η ζωη του ιησου φανερωθη εν τη θνητη σαρκι ημων
We who are alive are always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be shown in our body.
12 ωστε ο μεν θανατος εν ημιν ενεργειται η δε ζωη εν υμιν
So death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
13 εχοντες δε το αυτο πνευμα της πιστεως κατα το γεγραμμενον επιστευσα διο ελαλησα και ημεις πιστευομεν διο και λαλουμεν
But we have the same spirit of faith according to that which was written: “I believed, and so I spoke.” We also believe, and so we also speak,
14 ειδοτες οτι ο εγειρας τον κυριον ιησουν και ημας δια ιησου εγερει και παραστησει συν υμιν
because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.
15 τα γαρ παντα δι υμας ινα η χαρις πλεονασασα δια των πλειονων την ευχαριστιαν περισσευση εις την δοξαν του θεου
Everything is for your sake so that, as grace is spread to many people, thanksgiving may increase to the glory of God.
16 διο ουκ εκκακουμεν αλλ ει και ο εξω ημων ανθρωπος διαφθειρεται αλλ ο εσωθεν ανακαινουται ημερα και ημερα
So we do not become discouraged. Even though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
17 το γαρ παραυτικα ελαφρον της θλιψεως ημων καθ υπερβολην εις υπερβολην αιωνιον βαρος δοξης κατεργαζεται ημιν (aiōnios g166)
For this momentary, light affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory that exceeds all measurement. (aiōnios g166)
18 μη σκοπουντων ημων τα βλεπομενα αλλα τα μη βλεπομενα τα γαρ βλεπομενα προσκαιρα τα δε μη βλεπομενα αιωνια (aiōnios g166)
For we are not watching for things that are seen, but for things that are unseen. The things that we can see are temporary, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (aiōnios g166)
