2 Corinthians 4
1 So then, since God in his mercy has given us this new way of relating to him, we don't give up.
Therefore having this ministry, as we have obtained mercy, we faint not;
2 But we have given up secret, shameful acts. We don't behave in deceitful ways and we don't distort the word of God. We demonstrate who we are by revealing the truth before God so everybody can decide in their own minds.
but we lay aside the hidden things of disgrace, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but in the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every conscience of men, before God.
3 Even if the good news we share is veiled, it is veiled to those who are dying.
But if indeed our gospel is hidden, it is hidden with those who are lost:
4 The god of this world has blinded the minds of those who don't trust in God. They can't see the light of the good news of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (aiōn g165)
in whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of those who believe not, in order that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, may not shine on them. (aiōn g165)
5 We are not promoting ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord. In fact we are your servants for Jesus' sake.
For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
6 For God who said, “Let light shine out of the darkness,” shone in our minds to illuminate the knowledge of God's glory in the face of Jesus Christ.
Because God is the one, having said; Out of the darkness the light shall shine, which shone in our hearts, to the enlightenment of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in clay jars, to show that this supreme power comes from God and not from ourselves.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, in order that the excellency of the power, may be of God, and not of us;
8 We are attacked from every direction, but we are not crushed. We are at a loss as to what to do, but never in despair.
in everything being troubled, but not in difficulties incorrigible; being at a loss, but not utterly at a loss;
9 We are persecuted, but never abandoned by God. We are knocked down, but not dead yet!
being persecuted, but not forsaken; being cast down, but not destroyed;
10 In our bodies we always share in the death of Jesus, so that we can also demonstrate the life of Jesus in our bodies.
always bearing about the dying of Jesus in our body, in order that the life of Jesus may also be made manifest in our bodies.
11 While we live we are always under the threat of death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal bodies.
For we while living are always being delivered up to death for the sake of Jesus, in order that the life of Jesus may be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12 As a result, we are facing death so that you may have life!
So that death works in us, but life in you.
13 Since we have the same spirit of trust in God that Scripture refers to when it says, “I trusted in God, and so I spoke out,” we also trust in God and speak out for him.
But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which has been written, I believed, therefore I also spoke; and we believe, therefore we also speak;
14 We know that God who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus, and will bring us into his presence with you.
knowing that the one having raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us along with Jesus, and present us with you.
15 It's all for you! As God's grace reaches many more, thankfulness to God will be even greater, to his glory.
For all things are for your sakes, in order that the grace, overflowing with thanksgiving through many, may abound unto the glory of God.
16 So we don't give up. Even though our physical bodies are falling apart, our inner selves are being renewed daily.
Therefore we faint not; but if indeed our external man perishes, yet our internal man is renewed day by day.
17 These trivial troubles we have only last for a little while, but they produce for us an ever-increasing degree of glory. (aiōnios g166)
For the light burden of our affliction, which is evanescent, is working out for us an eternal weight of glory according to hyperbole unto hyperbole; (aiōnios g166)
18 We don't concern ourselves with what can be seen, for we look forward to what can't be seen. What we see is temporary, but what we can't see is eternal. (aiōnios g166)
we not looking at the things which are visible, but the things which are invisible; for the visible things are temporary, but the invisible things are eternal. (aiōnios g166)
