2 Corinthians 4
1 Therefore, seeing we have this ministration, according as we have obtained mercy, we faint not;
Therefore, since God in His mercy has given us this ministry, we do not lose heart.
2 But we renounce the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor adulterating the word of God; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience, in the sight of 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 our gospel be also hid, it is hid to them that are lost,
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of unbelievers, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not shine unto 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 we preach not ourselves, but Jesus Christ our Lord; and ourselves your servants through Jesus.
For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Christ Jesus.
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 treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the power 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 In all things we suffer tribulation, but are not distressed; we are straitened, but are not destitute;
We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
9 We suffer persecution, but are not forsaken; we are cast down, but we perish not:
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.
10 Always bearing about in our body the mortification of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest 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 we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake; that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our mortal 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 then death worketh 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 written: I believed, for which cause I have spoken; we also believe, for which cause we speak also:
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 raised up Jesus, will raise us up also with Jesus, and place us 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 all things are for your sakes; that the grace abounding through many, may abound in thanksgiving unto 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 faint not; but though our outward man is corrupted, yet the inward man 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.
17 For that which is at present momentary and light of our tribulation, worketh for us above measure exceedingly an eternal 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 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)
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)
