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 faint not:
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,
But and if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that are perishing:
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 world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn [upon them]. (aiōn g165)
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 preach not 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, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined 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 earthen 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 straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair;
9 pursued, yet never left unsuccoured; struck to the ground, yet never slain;
pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten 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 bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested 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 which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
12 Thus we are constantly dying, while you are in full enjoyment of Life.
So then death worketh 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 did I speak; we also believe, and therefore also we 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 which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also with Jesus, and shall 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 unto 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.
Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man 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, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; (aiōnios g166)
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 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)
