2 Corinthians 4
1 Therefore, because we have this ministry, and just as we have received mercy, we do not become discouraged.
Therefore, since we have this ministry through God's mercy, we do not lose heart.
2 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.
Rather, we have renounced shameful hidden deeds; we do not act deceitfully or distort the word of God, but by openly proclaiming the truth we commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.
3 But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing.
But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing.
4 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)
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers like them, so that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, might not dawn upon them. (aiōn g165)
5 For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.
For what we preach is not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.
6 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.
For God, who commanded light to shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 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.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that this extraordinary power is from God and not from us.
8 We are afflicted in every way, but not overwhelmed. We are perplexed but not filled with despair.
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
9 We are persecuted but not forsaken. We are struck down but not destroyed.
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
10 We always carry in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be shown in our bodies.
always carrying about in our bodies the death of the Lord Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our bodies.
11 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.
For we who live are always being delivered up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh.
12 So death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
13 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,
It is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe, therefore we also speak.
14 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.
For we know that he who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us through Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.
15 Everything is for your sake so that, as grace is spread to many people, thanksgiving may increase to the glory of God.
All of this is for your benefit, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
16 So we do not become discouraged. Even though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though on the outside we are wasting away, on the inside we are being renewed day by day.
17 For this momentary, light affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory that exceeds all measurement. (aiōnios g166)
For our light and momentary affliction is bringing about for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all measure, (aiōnios g166)
18 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)
as we look not to what is seen, but to what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (aiōnios g166)
