2 Corinthians 4
1 Because of this, having this ministration, according as we did receive kindness, we do not faint,
Therefore, being engaged in this service and being mindful of the mercy which has been shown us, we are not cowards.
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;
Nay, we have renounced the secrecy which marks a feeling of shame. We practice no cunning tricks, nor do we adulterate God's Message. But by a full clear statement of the truth we strive to commend ourselves in the presence of God to every human conscience.
3 and if also our good news is vailed, in those perishing it is vailed,
If, however, the meaning of our Good News has been veiled, the veil has been on the hearts of those who are on the way to perdition,
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)
in whom the god of this present age has blinded their unbelieving minds so as to shut out the sunshine of the Good News of the glory of the 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 we proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bondservants for the sake of Jesus.)
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, "Out of darkness let light shine," is He who has shone in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory, which is radiant on the face of Christ.
7 And we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us;
But we have this treasure in a fragile vase of clay, in order that the surpassing greatness of the power may be seen to belong to God, and not to originate in us.
8 on every side being in tribulation, but not straitened; perplexed, but not in despair;
We are hard pressed, yet never in absolute distress; perplexed, yet never utterly baffled;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
pursued, yet never left unsuccoured; struck to the ground, yet never slain;
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,
always, wherever we go, carrying with us in our bodies the putting to death of Jesus, so that in our bodies it may also be clearly shown that Jesus lives.
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, alive though we are, are continually surrendering ourselves to death for the sake of Jesus, so that in this mortal nature of ours it may also be clearly shown that Jesus lives.
12 so that, the death indeed in us doth work, and the life in you.
Thus we are constantly dying, while you are in full enjoyment of Life.
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;
But possessing the same Spirit of faith as he who wrote, "I believed, and therefore I have spoken," we also believe, and therefore we speak.
14 knowing that He who did raise up the Lord Jesus, us also through Jesus shall raise up, and shall present with you,
For we know that He who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will raise us also to be with Jesus, and will cause both us and you to stand in His own 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;
For everything is for your sakes, in order that grace, being more richly bestowed because of the thanksgivings of the increased number, may more and more promote 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 are not cowards. Nay, even though our outward man is wasting away, yet our inward man is being renewed day by day.
17 for the momentary light matter of our tribulation, more and more exceedingly an age-during weight of glory doth work out for us — (aiōnios g166)
For this our light and transitory burden of suffering is achieving for us a preponderating, yes, a vastly preponderating, and eternal weight of glory; (aiōnios g166)
