2 Corinthians 4
1 Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint not:
2 No, we have renounced the secrecy prompted by shame, refusing to adopt crafty ways, or to tamper with God’s message, and commending ourselves to everyone’s conscience, in the sight of God, by our exhibition of the truth.
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.
3 And, even if the good news that we bring is veiled, it is veiled only in the case of those who are on the path to ruin –
But and if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that are perishing:
4 people whose minds have been blinded by the God of this age, unbelievers as they are, so that the light from the good news of the glory of the Christ, who is the incarnation of God, should not shine for them. (aiōn g165)
in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn [upon them]. (aiōn g165)
5 (For it is not ourselves that we proclaim, but Christ Jesus, as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.)
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 Indeed, the same God who said “Out of darkness light will shine,” has shone in on our hearts, so that we should bring out into the light the knowledge of the glory of God, seen in the face of Christ.
Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 This treasure we have in these earthen vessels, so that its all-prevailing power may be seen to come from God, and not to be our own.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves;
8 Though hard pressed on every side, we are never hemmed in; though perplexed, never driven to despair;
[we are] pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair;
9 though pursued, never abandoned; though struck down, never killed!
pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed;
10 We always bear on our bodies the marks of the death that Jesus died, so that the life also of Jesus may be exhibited in our bodies.
always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body.
11 Indeed, we who still live are continually being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life also of Jesus may be exhibited in our mortal nature.
For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
12 And so, while death is at work within us, life is at work within you.
So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
13 But, in the same spirit of faith as that expressed in the words – “I believed, and therefore I spoke,” we, also believe, and therefore speak.
But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, I believed, and therefore did I speak; we also believe, and therefore also we speak;
14 For we know that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with him, and will bring us, with you, into his presence.
knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also with Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15 For all this is for your sakes, so that the loving kindness of God, spreading from heart to heart, may cause yet more hearts to overflow with thanksgiving, to his glory.
For all things [are] for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God.
16 Therefore, as I said, we do not lose heart. No, even though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.
17 The light burden of our momentary trouble is preparing for us a weight of imperishable glory, beyond all measure. (aiōnios g166)
For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; (aiōnios g166)
18 We, all the while, gaze not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is transient, but what is unseen is imperishable. (aiōnios g166)
while we look not 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)
