2 Corinthians 4
1 Because of this, having this ministration, according as we did receive kindness, we do not faint,
Therefore, since God in His mercy has given us this ministry, we do not lose heart.
2 but did renounce for ourselves the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor deceitfully using the word of God, but by the manifestation of the truth recommending ourselves unto every conscience of men, before God;
Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 and if also our good news is vailed, in those perishing it is vailed,
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
4 in whom the god of this age did blind the minds of the unbelieving, that there doth not shine forth to them the enlightening of the good news of the glory of the Christ, who is the image of God; (aiōn g165)
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (aiōn g165)
5 for not ourselves do we preach, but Christ Jesus — Lord, and ourselves your servants because of Jesus;
For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 because [it is] God who said, Out of darkness light [is] to shine, who did shine in our hearts, for the enlightening of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 And we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us;
Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.
8 on every side being in tribulation, but not straitened; perplexed, but not in despair;
We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.
10 at all times the dying of the Lord Jesus bearing about in the body, that the life also of Jesus in our body may be manifested,
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
11 for always are we who are living delivered up to death because of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our dying flesh,
For we who are alive are always consigned to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal body.
12 so that, the death indeed in us doth work, and the life in you.
So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
13 And having the same spirit of the faith, according to that which hath been written, 'I believed, therefore I did speak;' we also do believe, therefore also do we speak;
And in keeping with what is written: “I believed, therefore I have spoken,” we who have the same spirit of faith also believe and therefore speak,
14 knowing that He who did raise up the Lord Jesus, us also through Jesus shall raise up, and shall present with you,
knowing that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence.
15 for the all things [are] because of you, that the grace having been multiplied, because of the thanksgiving of the more, may abound to the glory of God;
All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is extending to more and more people may overflow in thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
16 wherefore, we faint not, but if also our outward man doth decay, yet the inward is renewed day by day;
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.
