< 2 Corinthians 4 >
1 Therefore, we are not weary in this ministry which we have received, according to the mercies that have been upon us:
Therefore, being engaged in this service and being mindful of the mercy which has been shown us, we are not cowards.
2 But we have renounced the concealments of dishonor, and we walk not in craftiness, nor do we treat the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth, we exhibit ourselves to all the consciences of men before God.
Nay, we have renounced the secrecy which marks a feeling of shame. We practice no cunning tricks, nor do we adulterate God's Message. But by a full clear statement of the truth we strive to commend ourselves in the presence of God to every human conscience.
3 And if our gospel is vailed, it is vailed to them that perish;
If, however, the meaning of our Good News has been veiled, the veil has been on the hearts of those who are on the way to perdition,
4 to them whose minds the God of this world hath blinded, in order that they might not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of the Messiah (who is the likeness of God) should dawn upon them. (aiōn )
in whom the god of this present age has blinded their unbelieving minds so as to shut out the sunshine of the Good News of the glory of the Christ, who is the image of God. (aiōn )
5 For it is not ourselves that we preach, but the Messiah, Jesus our Lord; and, as to ourselves, that we are your servants for Jesus' sake.
(For we do not proclaim ourselves, but we proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bondservants for the sake of Jesus.)
6 Because God, who commanded the light to arise from darkness, hath himself shined in our hearts, that we might be illuminated with the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of Jesus the Messiah.
For God who said, "Out of darkness let light shine," is He who has shone in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory, which is radiant on the face of Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in an earthen vessel, that the excellency of the power might be from God, and not from us.
But we have this treasure in a fragile vase of clay, in order that the surpassing greatness of the power may be seen to belong to God, and not to originate in us.
8 And in every thing we are oppressed, but not suffocated; we are corrected, but not condemned;
We are hard pressed, yet never in absolute distress; perplexed, yet never utterly baffled;
9 we are persecuted, but not forsaken; we are prostrated, but perish not.
pursued, yet never left unsuccoured; struck to the ground, yet never slain;
10 For we bear in our body, at all times, the dying of Jesus; that the life also of Jesus might be manifested in our body.
always, wherever we go, carrying with us in our bodies the putting to death of Jesus, so that in our bodies it may also be clearly shown that Jesus lives.
11 For if we are delivered over alive unto death, for Jesus' sake, even so also will the life of Jesus be manifested in this our mortal body.
For we, alive though we are, are continually surrendering ourselves to death for the sake of Jesus, so that in this mortal nature of ours it may also be clearly shown that Jesus lives.
12 Now therefore, in us death is active, but in you, life.
Thus we are constantly dying, while you are in full enjoyment of Life.
13 Having therefore the same spirit of faith, (as it is written, I believed, therefore also have I spoken, ) we also believe, and therefore speak;
But possessing the same Spirit of faith as he who wrote, "I believed, and therefore I have spoken," we also believe, and therefore we speak.
14 knowing that he, who resuscitated our Lord Jesus, will also resuscitate us by Jesus, and will receive us, with you, to himself.
For we know that He who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will raise us also to be with Jesus, and will cause both us and you to stand in His own presence.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that while grace aboundeth by means of many, thanksgiving may abound to the glory of God.
For everything is for your sakes, in order that grace, being more richly bestowed because of the thanksgivings of the increased number, may more and more promote the glory of God.
16 For this cause we faint not; for though our outward man perish, yet the inner man is renovated day by day.
Therefore we are not cowards. Nay, even though our outward man is wasting away, yet our inward man is being renewed day by day.
17 For the affliction of the present time, though very small and light, prepareth for us great glory, without end, for ever and ever; (aiōnios )
For this our light and transitory burden of suffering is achieving for us a preponderating, yes, a vastly preponderating, and eternal weight of glory; (aiōnios )
18 while we look not at these seen things, but at those not seen; for these seen things are temporary, but those not seen are eternal. (aiōnios )
while we look not at things seen, but things unseen; for things seen are temporary, but things unseen are eternal. (aiōnios )