17 Now the Lord is the Spirit,(A) and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.(B) 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a](C) the Lord’s glory,(D) are being transformed into his image(E) with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Present Weakness and Resurrection Life

Therefore, since through God’s mercy(F) we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.(G) Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways;(H) we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.(I) On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience(J) in the sight of God. And even if our gospel(K) is veiled,(L) it is veiled to those who are perishing.(M) The god(N) of this age(O) has blinded(P) the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ,(Q) who is the image of God.(R) For what we preach is not ourselves,(S) but Jesus Christ as Lord,(T) and ourselves as your servants(U) for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[b](V) made his light shine in our hearts(W) to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.(X)

But we have this treasure in jars of clay(Y) to show that this all-surpassing power is from God(Z) and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side,(AA) but not crushed; perplexed,(AB) but not in despair;

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 3:18 Or reflect
  2. 2 Corinthians 4:6 Gen. 1:3

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