2 Corinthians 4
1 For this reason, because we have been made servants of this new order, through the mercy given to us, we are strong:
Therefore, since God in His mercy has given us this ministry, we do not lose heart.
2 And we have given up the secret things of shame, not walking in false ways, and not making use of the word of God with deceit; but by the revelation of what is true, as before God, we have the approval of every man's sense of right and wrong.
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 But if our good news is veiled, it is veiled from those who are on the way to destruction:
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
4 Because the god of this world has made blind the minds of those who have not faith, so that the light of the good news of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, might not be shining on them. (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 our preaching is not about ourselves, but about Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants through Jesus.
For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 Seeing that it is God who said, Let light be shining out of the dark, who has put in our hearts the light 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 But we have this wealth in vessels of earth, so that it may be seen that the power comes not from us but from God;
Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.
8 Troubles are round us on every side, but we are not shut in; things are hard for us, but we see a way out of them;
We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
9 We are cruelly attacked, but not without hope; we are made low, but we are not without help;
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.
10 In our bodies there is ever the mark of the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be seen in our bodies.
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, while living, we are still being given up to death because of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be seen in our flesh, though it is under the power of death.
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 then, death is working in us, but life in you.
So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
13 But having the same spirit of faith, as it is said in the Writings, The words of my mouth came from the faith in my heart; in the same way, our words are the outcome of our faith;
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 Because we are certain that he who made the Lord Jesus come back from the dead, will do the same for us, and will give us a place in his glory 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 we go through all things on account of you, because the greater the number to whom the grace is given, the greater is the praise 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 For which cause we do not give way to weariness; but though our outer man is getting feebler, our inner man is made new 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.
17 For our present trouble, which is only for a short time, is working out for us a much greater weight of glory; (aiōnios g166)
For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. (aiōnios g166)
18 While our minds are not on the things which are seen, but on the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are for a time; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (aiōnios g166)
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (aiōnios g166)
