2 Corinthians 4
1 Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 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.
But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 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 –
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 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)
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (aiōn g165)
5 (For it is not ourselves that we proclaim, but Christ Jesus, as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.)
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 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.
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 Jesus Christ.
7 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.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8 Though hard pressed on every side, we are never hemmed in; though perplexed, never driven to despair;
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 though pursued, never abandoned; though struck down, never killed!
Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 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.
Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 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.
For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12 And so, while death is at work within us, life is at work within you.
So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
13 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.
We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14 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.
Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15 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.
For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16 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.
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 The light burden of our momentary trouble is preparing for us a weight of imperishable glory, beyond all measure. (aiōnios g166)
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; (aiōnios g166)
18 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)
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)
