2 Corinthians 4
1 Therefore, being engaged in this service and being mindful of the mercy which has been shown us, we are not cowards.
Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we do not faint.
2 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.
But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 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,
Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who are dying,
4 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 g165)
in whom the god of this age (aiōn g165) has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them.
5 (For we do not proclaim ourselves, but we proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bondservants for the sake of Jesus.)
For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake,
6 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.
seeing it is God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 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.
But we have this treasure in clay vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves.
8 We are hard pressed, yet never in absolute distress; perplexed, yet never utterly baffled;
We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair;
9 pursued, yet never left unsuccoured; struck to the ground, yet never slain;
pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed;
10 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.
always carrying in the body the putting to death of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
11 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.
For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal flesh.
12 Thus we are constantly dying, while you are in full enjoyment of Life.
So then death works in us, but life in you.
13 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.
But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, “I believed, and therefore I spoke.” We also believe, and therefore we also speak,
14 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.
knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will present us with you.
15 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.
For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we are not cowards. Nay, even though our outward man is wasting away, yet our inward man is being renewed day by day.
Therefore we do not faint, but though our outward person is decaying, yet our inward person is renewed day by day.
17 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 g166)
For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly a consummate (aiōnios g166) weight of glory,
18 while we look not at things seen, but things unseen; for things seen are temporary, but things unseen are eternal. (aiōnios g166)
while we do not look 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 consummate (aiōnios g166).
