2 Corinthians 4
1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, and in as much as we have obtained mercy for ourselves, we are not inadequate.
Wherefore, having this ministry, even as we received mercy, we faint not;
2 For we renounce dishonorable and hidden acts, not walking by craftiness, nor by adulterating the Word of God. Instead, by the manifestation of truth, we commend ourselves to the conscience of each man before God.
But 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 unto every conscience of men, in the sight of God.
3 But if our Gospel is in some way hidden, it is hidden to those who are perishing.
And, even if our glad-message is veiled, in them who are perishing, it is veiled,
4 As for them, the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, would not shine in them. (aiōn g165)
In whom, the god of this age, hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, to the end they may not discern the radiance of the glad-message of the glory of the Christ—who is the image of God. (aiōn g165)
5 For we are not preaching about ourselves, but about Jesus Christ our Lord. We are merely your servants through Jesus.
For, not ourselves, do we proclaim, but Christ Jesus, as Lord, and, ourselves, as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who told the light to shine out of darkness, has shined a light into our hearts, to illuminate the knowledge of the splendor of God, in the person of Christ Jesus.
Because, the God who said—Out of darkness, light shall shine! [is he] who hath shone in our hearts, in proportion to the radiance of the glorious knowledge of God, in the face of Christ.
7 But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, so that what is sublime may be of the power of God, and not of us.
Howbeit we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that, the surpassing greatness of the power, may be of God, and not from ourselves: —
8 In all things, we endure tribulation, yet we are not in anguish. We are constrained, yet we are not destitute.
On every side, pressed hard, but not hemmed in, without a way, but not without a by-way,
9 We suffer persecution, yet we have not been abandoned. We are thrown down, yet we do not perish.
Pursued, but not abandoned, thrown down, but not destroyed; —
10 We ever carry around the mortification of Jesus in our bodies, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
At all times, the putting to death of Jesus, in our body, bearing about, in order that, the life also of Jesus, in our body, may be made manifest;
11 For we who live are ever handed over unto death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our mortal flesh.
For, evermore, we, the living, unto death are being delivered, for Jesus’ sake, in order that, the life also of Jesus, may be made manifest in our mortal flesh:
12 Therefore, death is at work in us, and life is at work in you.
So that, his death, in us, doth energise, but, his life, in you.
13 But we have the same Spirit of faith. And just as it is written, “I believed, and for that reason I spoke,” so we also believe, and for that reason, we also speak.
Howbeit, seeing that we have the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written—I believed, therefore I spake, we, also believe, therefore also we speak:
14 For we know that the One who raised up Jesus will raise us up also with Jesus and will place us with you.
Knowing that, he who raised up [the Lord] Jesus, will raise up, us also, together with Jesus, and will present [us] together with you.
15 Thus, all is for you, so that grace, abounding through many in thanksgiving, may abound to the glory of God.
For, all things, are for your sakes, in order that, the favour abounding, may, through means of the greater number, cause, the thanksgiving, to superabound unto the glory of God.
16 For this reason, we are not insufficient. But it is as though our outer man is corrupted, while our inner man is renewed from day to day.
Wherefore we faint not, but, even if, our outer man, is decaying, nevertheless, our inner [man], is renewing day by day.
17 For though our tribulation is, at the present time, brief and light, it accomplishes in us the weight of a sublime eternal glory, beyond measure. (aiōnios g166)
For, the momentary lightness of the tribulation, in a manner yet more and more excelling, is working out for us, an age-abiding weight of glory, — (aiōnios g166)
18 And we are contemplating, not the things that are seen, but the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are temporal, whereas the things that are not seen are eternal. (aiōnios g166)
So long as we are not looking out for the visible things, but for the invisible; for, the visible things, are temporary, whereas, the invisible, are age-abiding. (aiōnios g166)
