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2 Corinthians 3-6
New American Standard Bible

Ministers of a New Covenant

3 Are we beginning to (A)commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some, (B)letters of commendation to you or from you? 2 (C)You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all people, 3 revealing yourselves, that you are a letter of Christ, [a](D)delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of (E)the living God, not on (F)tablets of stone but on (G)tablets of [b](H)human hearts.

4 Such is the (I)confidence we have toward God through Christ. 5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves so as to consider anything as having come from ourselves, but (J)our adequacy is from God, 6 who also made us adequate as (K)servants of a (L)new covenant, not of (M)the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but (N)the Spirit gives life.

7 But if the (O)ministry of death, engraved (P)in letters on stones, came [c]with glory (Q)so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory? 9 For if (R)the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the (S)ministry of righteousness excel in glory. 10 For indeed what had glory in this case has no glory, because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if that which fades away was [d]with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.

12 (T)Therefore, having such a hope, (U)we use great boldness in our speech, 13 and we are not like Moses, (V)who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not stare at the end of what was fading away. 14 But their minds were (W)hardened; for until this very day at the (X)reading of (Y)the old covenant the same veil [e]remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. 15 But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts; 16 (Z)but whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where (AA)the Spirit of the Lord is, (AB)there is freedom. 18 But we all, with unveiled faces, (AC)looking as in a mirror at the (AD)glory of the Lord, are being (AE)transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from (AF)the Lord, the Spirit.

Paul’s Apostolic Ministry

4 Therefore, since we have this (AG)ministry, as we (AH)received mercy, we (AI)do not lose heart, 2 but we have renounced the (AJ)things hidden because of shame, not walking in trickery nor (AK)distorting the word of God, but by the open proclamation of the truth (AL)commending ourselves to every person’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our (AM)gospel is (AN)veiled, it is veiled [f]to (AO)those who are perishing, 4 in whose case (AP)the god of (AQ)this [g]world has (AR)blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that [h]they will not see the (AS)light of the gospel of the (AT)glory of Christ, who is the (AU)image of God. 5 For we (AV)do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants [i]on account of Jesus. 6 For God, who said, “(AW)Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has (AX)shone in our hearts to give the (AY)Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in [j](AZ)earthen containers, so that the extraordinary greatness of (BA)the power will be of God and not from ourselves; 8 we are (BB)afflicted in every way, but not (BC)crushed; (BD)perplexed, but not despairing; 9 (BE)persecuted, but not (BF)abandoned; (BG)struck down, but not destroyed; 10 (BH)always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that (BI)the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly being handed over to death because of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. 12 So death works in us, but life in you.

13 But having the same (BJ)spirit of faith, according to what is written: “(BK)I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak, 14 knowing that He who (BL)raised the Lord Jesus (BM)will also raise us with Jesus, and will (BN)present us with you. 15 For all things are (BO)for your sakes, so that grace, having [k](BP)spread to more and more people, will cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

16 Therefore we (BQ)do not lose heart, but though our outer person is decaying, yet our (BR)inner person is (BS)being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary, (BT)light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we (BU)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.

The Temporal and Eternal

5 For we know that if our [l](BV)earthly (BW)tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house (BX)not made by hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For indeed, in this tent we (BY)groan, longing to be (BZ)clothed with our [m]dwelling from heaven, 3 since in fact after putting it on, we will not be found naked. 4 For indeed, we who are in this tent (CA)groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be (CB)clothed, so that what is (CC)mortal will be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who (CD)gave us the Spirit as a [n]pledge.

6 Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that (CE)while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— 7 for (CF)we walk by faith, not by [o]sight— 8 but we are of good courage and (CG)prefer rather to be absent from the body and (CH)to be at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be (CI)pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before (CJ)the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive compensation for [p]his deeds done through the body, in accordance with what he has done, whether good or bad.

11 Therefore, knowing the (CK)fear of the Lord, we persuade people, but we are well known to God; and I hope that we are also (CL)well known in your consciences. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you (CM)again, but are giving you an (CN)opportunity to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart. 13 For if we have (CO)lost our minds, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ (CP)controls us, having concluded this, that (CQ)one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that those who live would no longer (CR)live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf.

16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one [q](CS)by the flesh; even though we have known Christ by the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is (CT)in Christ, this person is (CU)a new [r]creation; (CV)the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now (CW)all these things are from God, (CX)who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the (CY)ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that (CZ)God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, (DA)not counting their wrongdoings against them, and [s]He has [t]committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20 Therefore, we are (DB)ambassadors for Christ, (DC)as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be (DD)reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who (DE)knew no sin to be [u](DF)sin in our behalf, so that we might become the (DG)righteousness of God in Him.

Their Ministry Commended

6 And (DH)working together with Him, (DI)we also urge you not to receive (DJ)the grace of God in vain— 2 for He says,

“(DK)At a favorable time I listened to you,
And on a day of salvation I helped you.”

Behold, now is “a favorable time,” behold, now is “a day of salvation”— 3 (DL)giving no reason for taking offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, 4 but in everything (DM)commending ourselves as [v](DN)servants of God, (DO)in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in difficulties, 5 in (DP)beatings, in imprisonments, in (DQ)[w]mob attacks, in labors, in sleeplessness, in (DR)hunger, 6 in purity, in (DS)knowledge, in (DT)patience, in kindness, in the (DU)Holy Spirit, in (DV)genuine love, 7 in (DW)the word of truth, and in (DX)the power of God; by (DY)the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, 8 by glory and (DZ)dishonor, by (EA)evil report and good report; regarded as (EB)deceivers and yet (EC)true; 9 as unknown and yet well known, as (ED)dying and yet behold, (EE)we are alive; as [x]punished and yet not put to death, 10 as (EF)sorrowful yet always (EG)rejoicing, as (EH)poor yet making many rich, as (EI)having nothing and yet possessing (EJ)all things.

11 (EK)Our mouth [y]has spoken freely to you, you Corinthians, our (EL)heart is opened wide. 12 You are not restrained [z]by us, but (EM)you are restrained in your own [aa]affections. 13 Now in the same way in (EN)exchange—I am speaking as to (EO)children—open wide your hearts to us, you as well.

14 (EP)Do not be [ab]mismatched with (EQ)unbelievers; for what do righteousness and lawlessness (ER)share together, or what does light have in common with darkness? 15 Or what (ES)harmony does Christ have with [ac]Belial, or [ad]what does a (ET)believer share with an (EU)unbeliever? 16 Or (EV)what agreement does [ae]the temple of God have with idols? For we are [af](EW)the temple of (EX)the living God; just as God said,

“(EY)I will (EZ)dwell among them and (FA)walk among them;
And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
17 (FB)Therefore, (FC)come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord.
“And do not touch what is unclean;
And I will welcome you.
18 (FD)And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be (FE)sons and daughters to Me,”
Says the Lord Almighty.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 3:3 Lit served
  2. 2 Corinthians 3:3 Lit hearts of flesh
  3. 2 Corinthians 3:7 Or in glory
  4. 2 Corinthians 3:11 Lit through
  5. 2 Corinthians 3:14 Or remains, it not being revealed that it is done away in Christ
  6. 2 Corinthians 4:3 Lit among
  7. 2 Corinthians 4:4 Lit age
  8. 2 Corinthians 4:4 Or the light...image of God, will not shine upon them
  9. 2 Corinthians 4:5 Two early mss through Jesus
  10. 2 Corinthians 4:7 Or earthenware containers
  11. 2 Corinthians 4:15 Lit multiplied through the many
  12. 2 Corinthians 5:1 Lit earthly house of the tent
  13. 2 Corinthians 5:2 I.e., the resurrected body
  14. 2 Corinthians 5:5 Or first installment
  15. 2 Corinthians 5:7 Or appearance
  16. 2 Corinthians 5:10 Lit the things
  17. 2 Corinthians 5:16 I.e., by what one is in the flesh
  18. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Or creature
  19. 2 Corinthians 5:19 Lit having
  20. 2 Corinthians 5:19 Lit placed in us
  21. 2 Corinthians 5:21 Or a sin offering
  22. 2 Corinthians 6:4 Or ministers
  23. 2 Corinthians 6:5 Lit tumults
  24. 2 Corinthians 6:9 Or disciplined
  25. 2 Corinthians 6:11 Lit is open to you
  26. 2 Corinthians 6:12 Or in us
  27. 2 Corinthians 6:12 Lit inward parts
  28. 2 Corinthians 6:14 Lit unevenly yoked
  29. 2 Corinthians 6:15 Gr Beliar; a name of the devil and the antichrist
  30. 2 Corinthians 6:15 Lit what part has a believer with an unbeliever
  31. 2 Corinthians 6:16 Or a temple
  32. 2 Corinthians 6:16 Or a temple
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2 Corinthians 3-6
New International Version

3 Are we beginning to commend ourselves(A) again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation(B) to you or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone.(C) 3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God,(D) not on tablets of stone(E) but on tablets of human hearts.(F)

4 Such confidence(G) we have through Christ before God. 5 Not that we are competent in ourselves(H) to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.(I) 6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant(J)—not of the letter(K) but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.(L)

The Greater Glory of the New Covenant

7 Now if the ministry that brought death,(M) which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory,(N) transitory though it was, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9 If the ministry that brought condemnation(O) was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!(P) 10 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 11 And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

12 Therefore, since we have such a hope,(Q) we are very bold.(R) 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face(S) to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were made dull,(T) for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant(U) is read.(V) It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord,(W) the veil is taken away.(X) 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit,(Y) and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.(Z) 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a](AA) the Lord’s glory,(AB) are being transformed into his image(AC) with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Present Weakness and Resurrection Life

4 Therefore, since through God’s mercy(AD) we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.(AE) 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways;(AF) we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.(AG) On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience(AH) in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel(AI) is veiled,(AJ) it is veiled to those who are perishing.(AK) 4 The god(AL) of this age(AM) has blinded(AN) the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ,(AO) who is the image of God.(AP) 5 For what we preach is not ourselves,(AQ) but Jesus Christ as Lord,(AR) and ourselves as your servants(AS) for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[b](AT) made his light shine in our hearts(AU) to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.(AV)

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay(AW) to show that this all-surpassing power is from God(AX) and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side,(AY) but not crushed; perplexed,(AZ) but not in despair; 9 persecuted,(BA) but not abandoned;(BB) struck down, but not destroyed.(BC) 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus,(BD) so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.(BE) 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake,(BF) so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.(BG)

13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”[c](BH) Since we have that same spirit of[d] faith,(BI) we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead(BJ) will also raise us with Jesus(BK) and present us with you to himself.(BL) 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving(BM) to overflow to the glory of God.

16 Therefore we do not lose heart.(BN) Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly(BO) we are being renewed(BP) day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.(BQ) 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,(BR) since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Awaiting the New Body

5 For we know that if the earthly(BS) tent(BT) we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan,(BU) longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,(BV) 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan(BW) and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,(BX) so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.(BY)

6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight.(BZ) 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.(CA) 9 So we make it our goal to please him,(CB) whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us(CC) for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord,(CD) we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.(CE) 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again,(CF) but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us,(CG) so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we are “out of our mind,”(CH) as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.(CI) 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves(CJ) but for him who died for them(CK) and was raised again.

16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly(CL) point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,(CM) the new creation(CN) has come:[e] The old has gone, the new is here!(CO) 18 All this is from God,(CP) who reconciled us to himself through Christ(CQ) and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.(CR) And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,(CS) as though God were making his appeal through us.(CT) We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.(CU) 21 God made him who had no sin(CV) to be sin[f] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.(CW)

6 As God’s co-workers(CX) we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.(CY) 2 For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,
    and in the day of salvation I helped you.”[g](CZ)

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

Paul’s Hardships

3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path,(DA) so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments(DB) and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;(DC) 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit(DD) and in sincere love;(DE) 7 in truthful speech(DF) and in the power of God;(DG) with weapons of righteousness(DH) in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor,(DI) bad report(DJ) and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;(DK) 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying,(DL) and yet we live on;(DM) beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;(DN) poor, yet making many rich;(DO) having nothing,(DP) and yet possessing everything.(DQ)

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.(DR) 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children(DS)—open wide your hearts(DT) also.

Warning Against Idolatry

14 Do not be yoked together(DU) with unbelievers.(DV) For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?(DW) 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[h]?(DX) Or what does a believer(DY) have in common with an unbeliever?(DZ) 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?(EA) For we are the temple(EB) of the living God.(EC) As God has said:

“I will live with them
    and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.”[i](ED)

17 Therefore,

“Come out from them(EE)
    and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
    and I will receive you.”[j](EF)

18 And,

“I will be a Father to you,
    and you will be my sons and daughters,(EG)
says the Lord Almighty.”[k](EH)

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 3:18 Or reflect
  2. 2 Corinthians 4:6 Gen. 1:3
  3. 2 Corinthians 4:13 Psalm 116:10 (see Septuagint)
  4. 2 Corinthians 4:13 Or Spirit-given
  5. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Or Christ, that person is a new creation.
  6. 2 Corinthians 5:21 Or be a sin offering
  7. 2 Corinthians 6:2 Isaiah 49:8
  8. 2 Corinthians 6:15 Greek Beliar, a variant of Belial
  9. 2 Corinthians 6:16 Lev. 26:12; Jer. 32:38; Ezek. 37:27
  10. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Isaiah 52:11; Ezek. 20:34,41
  11. 2 Corinthians 6:18 2 Samuel 7:14; 7:8
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