2 Corinthians 4
1 Therefore, seeing we have this ministration, according as we have obtained mercy, we faint not;
Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in 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.
No, we have renounced the secrecy prompted by shame, refusing to adopt crafty ways, or to tamper with God’s message, and commending ourselves to everyone’s conscience, in the sight of God, by our exhibition of the truth.
3 And if our gospel be also hid, it is hid to them that are lost,
And, even if the good news that we bring is veiled, it is veiled only in the case of those who are on the path to ruin –
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)
people whose minds have been blinded by the God of this age, unbelievers as they are, so that the light from the good news of the glory of the Christ, who is the incarnation of God, should not shine for them. (aiōn g165)
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Jesus Christ our Lord; and ourselves your servants through Jesus.
(For it is not ourselves that we proclaim, but Christ Jesus, 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.
Indeed, the same God who said “Out of darkness light will shine,” has shone in on our hearts, so that we should bring out into the light the knowledge of the glory of God, seen in the face of Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the power of God, and not of us.
This treasure we have in these earthen vessels, so that its all-prevailing power may be seen to come from God, and not to be our own.
8 In all things we suffer tribulation, but are not distressed; we are straitened, but are not destitute;
Though hard pressed on every side, we are never hemmed in; though perplexed, never driven to despair;
9 We suffer persecution, but are not forsaken; we are cast down, but we perish not:
though pursued, never abandoned; though struck down, never killed!
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 bear on our bodies the marks of the death that Jesus died, so that the life also of Jesus may be exhibited in our bodies.
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.
Indeed, we who still live are continually being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life also of Jesus may be exhibited in our mortal nature.
12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
And so, while death is at work within us, life is at work within 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:
But, in the same spirit of faith as that expressed in the words – “I believed, and therefore I spoke,” we, 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.
For we know that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with him, and will bring us, with you, into 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.
For all this is for your sakes, so that the loving kindness of God, spreading from heart to heart, may cause yet more hearts to overflow with thanksgiving, to his glory.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man is corrupted, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
Therefore, as I said, we do not lose heart. No, even though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are 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)
The light burden of our momentary trouble is preparing for us a weight of imperishable glory, beyond all measure. (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)
We, all the while, gaze not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is transient, but what is unseen is imperishable. (aiōnios g166)
