2 Corinthians 4
1 Because of this, having this ministry, according as we received kindness, we do not faint,
Therefore, because we have this ministry, and just as we have received mercy, we do not become discouraged.
2 but renounced for ourselves the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor deceitfully using the word of God, but by the manifestation of the truth recommending ourselves to every conscience of men, before God;
Instead, we have rejected secret and shameful ways. We do not live by craftiness, and we do not mishandle the word of God. By presenting the truth, we recommend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.
3 and if our good news is also veiled, it is veiled in those perishing,
But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing.
4 in whom the god of this age blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that there does not shine forth to them the enlightening of the good news of the glory of the Christ, who is the image of God; (aiōn g165)
In their case, the god of this world has blinded their unbelieving minds. As a result, they are not able to see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (aiōn g165)
5 for we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus—LORD, and [we are] ourselves your servants because of Jesus;
For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.
6 because [it is] God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who shined in our hearts, for the enlightening of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
For God is the one who said, “Light will shine out of darkness.” He has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the presence of Jesus Christ.
7 And we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God, and not of us,
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, so that it is clear that the exceedingly great power belongs to God and not to us.
8 being in tribulation in every [way], but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;
We are afflicted in every way, but not overwhelmed. We are perplexed but not filled with despair.
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
We are persecuted but not forsaken. We are struck down but not destroyed.
10 at all times carrying around in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body,
We always carry in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be shown in our bodies.
11 for we who are living are always delivered up to death because of Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our dying flesh,
We who are alive are always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be shown in our body.
12 so that, death indeed works in us, and life in you.
So death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
13 And having the same spirit of faith, according to that which has been written: “I believed, therefore I spoke”; we also believe, therefore we also speak;
But we have the same spirit of faith according to that which was written: “I believed, and so I spoke.” We also believe, and so we also speak,
14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus, will also raise us up through Jesus, and will present [us] with you,
because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.
15 for all things [are] because of you, that the grace having been multiplied, because of the thanksgiving of the more, may abound to the glory of God;
Everything is for your sake so that, as grace is spread to many people, thanksgiving may increase to the glory of God.
16 for this reason, we do not faint, but if our outward man also decays, yet the inward is renewed day by day;
So we do not become discouraged. Even though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
17 for the momentary light matter of our tribulation works out for us more and more an exceedingly continuous weight of glory— (aiōnios g166)
For this momentary, light affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory that exceeds all measurement. (aiōnios g166)
18 we [are] not looking to the things seen, but to the things not seen; for the things seen [are] temporary, but the things not seen [are] continuous. (aiōnios g166)
For we are not watching for things that are seen, but for things that are unseen. The things that we can see are temporary, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (aiōnios g166)
