< 2 Corinthians 4 >

1 So, because God has acted so kindly [toward me], enabling [me to teach] this great [message to people], I never get [so] discouraged [that I stop teaching it].
Because of this having ministry this even as we received mercy, not we lose heart,
2 And I have determined that we [(exc)] will be honest [LIT] in everything that we do. We will not [do anything that would cause] us to be ashamed [if people found out about it]. We never try to deceive [you with clever arguments, as some other people do]. We never [try to deceive you] by changing God’s message, [as those same people do]. Instead, we always teach [people only] the truth [about Christ], and we teach it clearly. Knowing that God is watching what we do, we [teach his message in an honest way, with the result that] no one can [accuse] us [(exc) of being deceitful].
But we have renounced the hidden things of shame not walking in craftiness nor falsifying the word of God, but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every conscience of men before God.
3 And if, [as some of you say, some people are] not able to understand the message [that we teach about Christ, it is not because we do not teach it clearly]. It is because those people [do not want to believe it]. They are going to perish eternally.
If however even is concealed the gospel of us, to those perishing it is concealed;
4 [Satan, who is] the one [who rules] this world, controls the thoughts of those unbelievers. He prevents them from understanding the message about how wonderful Christ is. [They are not able to understand that] Jesus is like God [in every way]. (aiōn g165)
in whom the god of the age this has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so as for not to beam forth (to them *k*) the illumination of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is [the] image of God. (aiōn g165)
5 That is why, [when we(exc) teach people], we do not boast about ourselves, [as some people say that we do]. Instead, [we teach you] that Jesus Christ is our Lord. We ourselves are [only] your servants. [We want to honor and obey] Jesus.
Not for ourselves do we proclaim but Jesus Christ Lord, ourselves now servants of you for the sake of Jesus.
6 When God [created the world], he commanded the light to shine [where there was nothing but] darkness. He is the one who has [made his message about Jesus to be like] [MET] a light shining into our [(inc)] minds. [God] has done that [for all of us who believe in Jesus. He has done that so that we will understand that when people saw] Christ, they saw how awesome God himself was.
For [it is] God having said Out of darkness light (will shine, *N(k)O*) who shone in the hearts of us for [the] radiance of the knowledge of the glory of God in [the] face of Jesus Christ.
7 [This work that God has given to] us [(exc)] is [MET] [like] a very valuable treasure. But we who have that treasure [are as weak as fragile] [MET] clay pots. [God has planned it like that] in order that [people] will know that the power [that changes lives] is God’s power, and not any power of our own.
We have now treasure this in earthen vessels, that the surpassingness of the power may be from God and not from us,
8 We are continually oppressed {[People] continually oppress us} in many ways, but [we have] not been prevented {[God has] not [allowed them to] prevent us} [from teaching the message about Jesus Christ]. We often do not know what to do [in difficult situations], but we never say, “God has abandoned us.”
in every [way] being hard pressed but not being crushed, being perplexed but not despairing,
9 [We are frequently] persecuted {[People frequently] cause us to suffer}, but [God] never abandons us. [Sometimes we are] badly wounded {[people] badly wound us}, but [God does] not [allow] us [to] be killed {[them to] kill us}.
being persecuted but not being forsaken, being struck down but not being destroyed;
10 [Wherever we(exc) go], we continually [realize that because people killed] Jesus, [people may] kill us [for teaching his message. But we are willing to go on living this way] in order that [people] will know that Jesus is alive and [that he is directing] us [SYN].
always the death of the (Lord *K*) Jesus in [our] body carrying around, so that also the life of Jesus in the body of us may be manifested;
11 [So, although] we are [still] alive, we always realize that we may be killed {that [people some day] may kill us} because [we teach about] Jesus. [God allows us to suffer] in order that [people] will see that Jesus is alive and that he is [strengthening] our bodies that are some day going to die.
always for we ourselves the living to death are being delivered on account of Jesus, so that also the life of Jesus may be manifested in the mortal flesh of us.
12 So [I conclude that although] we [apostles] are constantly [suffering and may soon] die, [the result of that is that all of] you [have now received eternal] life.
So then (indeed *k*) death in us works, however life in you.
13 We are not discouraged. We are like [the person who] wrote [in the Scriptures], “[God], I trusted [in you] and so I continue speaking [your message].” We [(exc)] also trust [in God], so we continue speaking [his message].
Having however the same spirit of faith according to that written: I believed, therefore I have spoken, also we ourselves believe, therefore also speak;
14 [We do this] because we [(exc)] know that [although people might kill us, God], who caused the Lord Jesus to live again after he died, will also cause us [(exc)] to live again [after we die. God will do this because we belong to] Jesus. [And then God] will bring us [(exc)], together with you, to be with him.
knowing that the [One] having raised up the Lord Jesus also us (with *N(k)O*) Jesus He will raise up and He will present [us] with you.
15 [So I say that] all these things [that we(exc) suffer] happen in order to help you. [We have suffered all this] in order that more and more people, [as a result of hearing that God will] kindly/freely [forgive their sins], will thank [him and praise him. Then] they will greatly honor him [and worship him].
For all things [are] for the sake of you, so that the grace having abounded through more and more the thanksgiving may increase to the glory of God.
16 So, [because we know that as a result of our suffering many people will honor God], we [(exc)] never get so discouraged [that we stop teaching his message]. Although our bodies are getting weaker, [God] encourages us every day and strengthens us spiritually.
Therefore not we lose heart; but if even the outward of us man is being brought to decay, yet the (inner *N(k)O*) (of us *no*) is being renewed by day and by day.
17 [I know that] all these troubles that [happen to us in this life are] not significant and will not last forever. [When we think of] the glorious things [that God is preparing] for us [to enjoy] forever [in heaven], all [our suffering now] is not important. (aiōnios g166)
The for momentary lightness the affliction of us far surpassing to excessiveness an eternal weight of glory is producing for us, (aiōnios g166)
18 That is why we say, “We will not continue thinking about [all the suffering that we] are experiencing now. Even though [we] cannot see [all the things that God has prepared for us in heaven], those are what we should be thinking about.” [That is how we should think], because [all these troubles] that [we(exc)] have [now] will last only a short time. But what [we will have in heaven], what [we] cannot see [now], will last forever. (aiōnios g166)
not are looking at we the [things] being seen but the [things] not being seen; The [things] for being seen [are] temporary, the [things] however not being seen [are] eternal. (aiōnios g166)

< 2 Corinthians 4 >