4
1 Therefore, seeing
we have this
ministry, even as
we obtained mercy,
we don’t faint.
2 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 Even
if our Good
News is veiled,
it is veiled
in those who
are dying,
4 in
whom the god
of this world 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 don’t preach
ourselves, but
Christ Jesus as
Lord, and
ourselves as your
servants for Jesus’
sake,
6 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 clay
vessels, that the
exceeding greatness
of the power
may be of
God and not
from ourselves.
8 We
are pressed on
every side, yet
not crushed; perplexed, yet
not to despair;
9 pursued, yet
not forsaken;
struck down, yet
not destroyed;
10 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 who live
are always
delivered to death
for Jesus’ sake,
that the life
also of Jesus
may be revealed
in our mortal
flesh.
12 So
then death works
in us, but
life in you.
13 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 knowing
that he who
raised the Lord
Jesus will raise
us also with
Jesus, and will
present us with
you.
15 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 don’t faint,
but though our
outward person is
decaying, yet our
inward person is renewed
day by day.
17 For
our light
affliction, which
is for the
moment, works for
us more and
more exceedingly an eternal weight
of glory,
18 while
we don’t 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 eternal.