Προς Κορινθιους Β΄ 4
1 δια τουτο εχοντες την διακονιαν ταυτην καθως ηλεηθημεν ουκ εκκακουμεν
Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.
2 αλλ απειπαμεθα τα κρυπτα της αισχυνης μη περιπατουντες εν πανουργια μηδε δολουντες τον λογον του θεου αλλα τη φανερωσει της αληθειας συνιστωντες εαυτους προς πασαν συνειδησιν ανθρωπων ενωπιον του θεου
No, we have renounced the secrecy prompted by shame, refusing to adopt crafty ways, or to tamper with God’s Message, and commending ourselves to every man’s conscience, in the sight of God, by our exhibition of the Truth.
3 ει δε και εστιν κεκαλυμμενον το ευαγγελιον ημων εν τοις απολλυμενοις εστιν κεκαλυμμενον
And, even if the Good News that we bring is veiled, it is veiled only in the case of those who are on the path to Ruin —
4 εν οις ο θεος του αιωνος τουτου ετυφλωσεν τα νοηματα των απιστων εις το μη αυγασαι αυτοις τον φωτισμον του ευαγγελιου της δοξης του χριστου ος εστιν εικων του θεου (aiōn g165)
Men whose minds have been blinded by the God of this Age, unbelievers as they are, so that the light from the Good News of the glory of the Christ, who is the very incarnation of God, should not shine for them. (aiōn g165)
5 ου γαρ εαυτους κηρυσσομεν αλλα χριστον ιησουν κυριον εαυτους δε δουλους υμων δια ιησουν
(For it is not ourselves that we proclaim, but Christ Jesus, as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.)
6 οτι ο θεος ο ειπων εκ σκοτους φως λαμψαι ος ελαμψεν εν ταις καρδιαις ημων προς φωτισμον της γνωσεως της δοξης του θεου εν προσωπω ιησου χριστου
Indeed, the same God who said ‘Out of darkness light shall shine,’ has shone in upon our hearts, so that we should bring out into the light the knowledge of the glory of God, seen in the face of Christ.
7 εχομεν δε τον θησαυρον τουτον εν οστρακινοις σκευεσιν ινα η υπερβολη της δυναμεως η του θεου και μη εξ ημων
This treasure we have in these earthen vessels, that its all-prevailing power may be seen to come from God, and not to be our own.
8 εν παντι θλιβομενοι αλλ ου στενοχωρουμενοι απορουμενοι αλλ ουκ εξαπορουμενοι
Though hard pressed on every side, we are never hemmed in; through perplexed, never driven to despair;
9 διωκομενοι αλλ ουκ εγκαταλειπομενοι καταβαλλομενοι αλλ ουκ απολλυμενοι
though pursued, never abandoned; though struck down, never killed!
10 παντοτε την νεκρωσιν του κυριου ιησου εν τω σωματι περιφεροντες ινα και η ζωη του ιησου εν τω σωματι ημων φανερωθη
We always bear on our bodies the marks of the death that Jesus died, so that the Life also of Jesus may be exhibited in our bodies.
11 αει γαρ ημεις οι ζωντες εις θανατον παραδιδομεθα δια ιησουν ινα και η ζωη του ιησου φανερωθη εν τη θνητη σαρκι ημων
Indeed, we who still live are continually being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the Life also of Jesus may be exhibited in our mortal nature.
12 ωστε ο μεν θανατος εν ημιν ενεργειται η δε ζωη εν υμιν
And so, while death is at work within us, Life is at work within you.
13 εχοντες δε το αυτο πνευμα της πιστεως κατα το γεγραμμενον επιστευσα διο ελαλησα και ημεις πιστευομεν διο και λαλουμεν
But, in the same spirit of faith as that expressed in the words — ‘I believed, and therefore I spoke,’ we, also believe, and therefore speak.
14 ειδοτες οτι ο εγειρας τον κυριον ιησουν και ημας δια ιησου εγερει και παραστησει συν υμιν
For we know that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with him, and will bring us, with you, into his presence.
15 τα γαρ παντα δι υμας ινα η χαρις πλεονασασα δια των πλειονων την ευχαριστιαν περισσευση εις την δοξαν του θεου
For all this is for your sakes, that the loving-kindness of God, spreading from heart to heart, may cause yet more hearts to overflow with thanksgiving, to his glory.
16 διο ουκ εκκακουμεν αλλ ει και ο εξω ημων ανθρωπος διαφθειρεται αλλ ο εσωθεν ανακαινουται ημερα και ημερα
Therefore, as I said, we do not lose heart. No, even though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
