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.
Because of this (having this ministry), in as much as we received mercy, we do not become discouraged.
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 we have renounced the covert things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor misrepresenting the word of God, but by the disclosure of the truth, commending ourselves to every conscience of men before God.
3 But if our Gospel is in some way hidden, it is hidden to those who are perishing.
But even if our good news is concealed, it is concealed in those who are perishing,
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 has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, in order for the light of the good news of the glory of the Christ (who is a likeness of God) not to shine forth to them. (aiōn g165)
5 For we are not preaching about ourselves, but about Jesus Christ our Lord. We are merely your servants through Jesus.
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves are your bondmen through Jesus.
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 it is God who said, Out of darkness light is to shine, who shone in our hearts for an enlightenment of the knowledge of the glory of God in the presence of Jesus 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.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the excellence of the power may be of God and not from us,
8 In all things, we endure tribulation, yet we are not in anguish. We are constrained, yet we are not destitute.
restricted in everything, yet not confined, perplexed but not despairing,
9 We suffer persecution, yet we have not been abandoned. We are thrown down, yet we do not perish.
persecuted but not forsaken, cast 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.
Always carrying around in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, so that also the life of Jesus may be made visible in our body.
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 we who live are always given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that also the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh.
12 Therefore, death is at work in us, and life is at work in you.
So death indeed works in us, but 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.
And having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, I believed, therefore I spoke, we also believe, and therefore 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 also raise us up through Jesus, and will present us 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, so that the grace, which has multiplied because of the thankfulness of the many, may abound for 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.
Therefore we are not discouraged, but even if the outer man of us is perishing, yet the inner man is renewed 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 our slight momentary affliction works for us an eternal weight of glory from extraordinariness to extraordinariness, (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)
while we look not at things seen, but at things not seen. For things seen are temporal, but things not seen are eternal. (aiōnios g166)
