2 Corinthians 4
1 Therefore having received this ministry, as we have obtained mercy, we are not disheartened:
Therefore, being engaged in this service and being mindful of the mercy which has been shown us, we are not cowards.
2 but have rejected shameful disguises, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth, recommending ourselves to every man's conscience, in the sight of 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 also be veiled, it is to those 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 among whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, so that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, doth not shine unto them: (aiōn g165)
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)
5 for we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for the sake of Jesus.
(For we do not proclaim ourselves, but we proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bondservants for the sake of Jesus.)
6 For God, who commanded light to shine out of darkness, hath shined into our hearts, to reflect the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
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 earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power might be evidently of God, and not of 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 being afflicted on every side, but not oppressed; perplexed, but not in despair;
We are hard pressed, yet never in absolute distress; perplexed, yet never utterly baffled;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken;
pursued, yet never left unsuccoured; struck to the ground, yet never slain;
10 cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord 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 we, who are yet living, are always exposed to death for the sake of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
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 So that death is wrought in us, but life in you.
Thus we are constantly dying, while you are in full enjoyment of Life.
13 But having the same Spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed, and therefore 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 raised up the Lord Jesus, will raise up us also by Jesus, and present us with you.
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 these things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the gratitude of many redound 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 which cause we are not disheartened: but though our outward man decayeth, yet the inward man is renewed daily.
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 our short and light affliction is working out for us an infinite and eternal weight of glory, as we aim not at the things which are visible, but invisible: (aiōnios g166)
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)
