2 Corinthians 4-6
Complete Jewish Bible
4 God has shown us such mercy that we do not lose courage as we do the work he has given us. 2 Indeed, we refuse to make use of shameful underhanded methods, employing deception or distorting God’s message. On the contrary, by making very clear what the truth is, we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 So if indeed our Good News is veiled, it is veiled only to those in the process of being lost. 4 They do not come to trust because the god of the ‘olam hazeh has blinded their minds, in order to prevent them from seeing the light shining from the Good News about the glory of the Messiah, who is the image of God. 5 For what we are proclaiming is not ourselves, but the Messiah Yeshua as Lord, with ourselves as slaves for you because of Yeshua. 6 For it is the God who once said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has made his light shine in our hearts, the light of the knowledge of God’s glory shining in the face of the Messiah Yeshua.
7 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it will be evident that such overwhelming power comes from God and not from us. 8 We have all kinds of troubles, but we are not crushed; we are perplexed, yet not in despair; 9 persecuted, yet not abandoned; knocked down, yet not destroyed. 10 We always carry in our bodies the dying of Yeshua, so that the life of Yeshua may be manifested in our bodies too. 11 For we who are alive are always being handed over to death for Yeshua’s sake, so that Yeshua’s life also might be manifested in our mortal bodies. 12 Thus death is at work in us but life in you.
13 The Tanakh says, “I trusted, therefore I spoke.”[a] Since we have that same Spirit who enables us to trust, we also trust and therefore speak; 14 because we know that he who raised the Lord Yeshua will also raise us with Yeshua and bring us along with you into his presence. 15 All this is for your sakes, so that as grace flows out to more and more people, it may cause thanksgiving to overflow and bring glory to God.
16 This is why we do not lose courage. Though our outer self is heading for decay, our inner self is being renewed daily. 17 For our light and transient troubles are achieving for us an everlasting glory whose weight is beyond description. 18 We concentrate not on what is seen but on what is not seen, since things seen are temporary, but things not seen are eternal.
5 We know that when the tent which houses us here on earth is torn down, we have a permanent building from God, a building not made by human hands, to house us in heaven. 2 For in this tent, our earthly body, we groan with desire to have around us the home from heaven that will be ours. 3 With this around us we will not be found naked. 4 Yes, while we are in this body, we groan with the sense of being oppressed: it is not so much that we want to take something off, but rather to put something on over it; so that what must die may be swallowed up by the Life. 5 Moreover, it is God who has prepared us for this very thing, and as a pledge he has given us his Spirit.
6 So we are always confident — we know that so long as we are at home in the body, we are away from our home with the Lord; 7 for we live by trust, not by what we see. 8 We are confident, then, and would much prefer to leave our home in the body and come to our home with the Lord.
9 Therefore, whether at home or away from home, we try our utmost to please him; 10 for we must all appear before the Messiah’s court of judgment, where everyone will receive the good or bad consequences of what he did while he was in the body.
11 So it is with the fear of the Lord before us that we try to persuade people. Moreover, God knows us as we really are; and I hope that in your consciences you too know us as we really are. 12 We are not recommending ourselves to you again but giving you a reason to be proud of us, so that you will be able to answer those who boast about a person’s appearance rather than his inner qualities. 13 If we are insane, it is for God’s sake; and if we are sane, it is for your sake. 14 For the Messiah’s love has hold of us, because we are convinced that one man died on behalf of all mankind (which implies that all mankind was already dead), 15 and that he died on behalf of all in order that those who live should not live any longer for themselves but for the one who on their behalf died and was raised. 16 So from now on, we do not look at anyone from a worldly viewpoint. Even if we once regarded the Messiah from a worldly viewpoint, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is united with the Messiah, he is a new creation — the old has passed; look, what has come is fresh and new! 18 And it is all from God, who through the Messiah has reconciled us to himself and has given us the work of that reconciliation, 19 which is that God in the Messiah was reconciling mankind to himself, not counting their sins against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore we are ambassadors of the Messiah; in effect, God is making his appeal through us. What we do is appeal on behalf of the Messiah, “Be reconciled to God! 21 God made this sinless man be a sin offering on our behalf, so that in union with him we might fully share in God’s righteousness.”
6 As God’s fellow-workers we also urge you not to receive his grace and then do nothing with it. 2 For he says,
“At the acceptable time I heard you;
in the day of salvation I helped you.”[b]
3 We try not to put obstacles in anyone’s path, so that no one can find fault with the work we do. 4 On the contrary, we try to commend ourselves in every way as workers for God by continually enduring troubles, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, overwork, lack of sleep and food. 6 We commend ourselves by our purity, knowledge, patience and kindness; by the Ruach HaKodesh; by genuineness of love 7 and truthfulness of speech; and by God’s power. We commend ourselves through our use of righteous weapons, whether for pressing our cause or defending it; 8 through being honored and dishonored, praised and blamed, considered deceptive and sincere, 9 unknown and famous. And we commend ourselves as God’s workers headed for death, yet look! we’re alive! as punished, yet not killed; 10 as having reason to be sad, yet always filled with joy; as poor, yet making many people rich; as having nothing, yet having everything!
11 Dear friends in Corinth! We have spoken frankly to you, we have opened our hearts wide. 12 Any constraint you feel has not been imposed by us, but by your own inner selves. 13 So, just to be “fair” (I am using the language of children), open wide your hearts too.
14 Do not yoke yourselves together in a team with unbelievers. For how can righteousness and lawlessness be partners? What fellowship does light have with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between the Messiah and B’liya‘al? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement can there be between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God — as God said,
“I will house myself in them, . . .
and I will walk among you.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.”[c]
17 Therefore Adonai says,
“‘Go out from their midst;
separate yourselves;
don’t even touch what is unclean.[d]
Then I myself will receive you.[e]
18 In fact, I will be your Father,
and you will be my sons and daughters.’
says Adonai-Tzva’ot.”[f]
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 4:13 Psalm 116:10
- 2 Corinthians 6:2 Isaiah 49:8
- 2 Corinthians 6:16 Leviticus 26:12; Exodus 6:7; Jeremiah 31:32(33), 32:38; Ezekiel 37:27
- 2 Corinthians 6:17 Isaiah 52:11
- 2 Corinthians 6:17 Ezekiel 20:34, 41
- 2 Corinthians 6:18 2 Samuel 7:14, Isaiah 43:6
Kehillah in Corinth II 4-6
Orthodox Jewish Bible
4 Therefore, since it is by the chesed of Hashem that we have this sherut, this kehunah, [2C 3:16] we are undaunted. [TEHILLIM 18:45; YESHAYAH 40:31]
2 But we renounced the hidden things of bushah (shame), not going about with remiyah (deceit) nor falsifying the dvar Hashem. Rather by the manifestation of HaEmes we present ourselves to every man’s matzpun in the sight of Hashem. [2C 2:17; 1Th 2:5]
3 But if indeed our Besuras HaGeulah is nistar (hidden), it is nistar among the ones perishing, [2C 1:18]
4 In whose case the g-d of the Olam Hazeh (Ep 2:2) blinded the minds of the ones without emunah, so the illumination of the Besuras HaGeulah of the kavod of Moshiach, who is the demut of Hashem, [Co 1:15; MJ 1:3] would not shine on them.
5 For we preach not ourselves but Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Adoneinu Yehoshua and ourselves as your avadim (servants) for Yehoshua’s sake. [2C 1:24]
6 Because Hashem is the One who said,"Let Ohr shine out of choshech" [BERESHIS 1:3; YESHAYAH 9:2] who shone in our levavot for an illumination of the da’as of the kavod of Hashem in the face of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua. [2C 3:18]
7 Now we have this otzar (treasure) in earthen vessels [2C 5:1] that the excellence of the ko’ach may be of Hashem and not of us. [IYOV 4:19; YESHAYAH 64:8; SHOFETIM 7:2]
8 Being oppressed on every side [2C 1:8; 7;5] but not being crushed, being perplexed but not in ye’ush (despair, atzvut),
9 Being persecuted but not forsaken, being cast down but not destroyed, [TEHILLIM 37:24; MISHLE 24:16]
10 Always bearing about the dying of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach in my basar that also the Chayyim of Moshiach in geviyyateinu might be manifested. [BERESHIS 47:18; TEHILLIM 16:9-10; IYOV 19:25-27; YESHAYAH 53:11]
11 For always we, the ones living, are being given over to mavet because of Moshiach [Ro 8:36; 1C 15:31] that also the Chayyim of Moshiach may be manifested in our mortal basar.
12 So then Mavet works in us but Chayyim in you.
13 And having the same Ruach Hakodesh of emunah that is in accordance with the Kitvei Hakodesh, HE’EMANITI KI ADABER ("I believed, therefore I speak " TEHILLIM 116:10), we both believed and therefore we speak,
14 Having da’as that the One who made to stand up alive Adoneinu Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua will make us also with Yehoshua stand up alive and will present us with you. [Ro 8:11; 1C 6:14; 15:15,20]
15 For all things are because of you [2C 1:3-6] that the Chen v’Chesed Hashem, having increased through the many, may increase the hodayah (thanksgiving) to the kavod of Hashem. [1:6]
16 Therefore we are undaunted and do not lose chozek (strength). For, indeed, even if our outward man is becoming old and atrophied, yet our inward man is yom yom being renewed. [Ep 3:16; Ps 18:45; 103:5; Isa 40:31]
17 For our present momentary tzoros is preparing us for an eternal weight of kavod (glory) utterly beyond measure, [TEHILLIM 30:5; Ro 8:17-18]
18 For while we are not looking at the visible things but the invisible; [Co 1:16; MJ 11:1,3] for the things visible are zemanniyim (temporary) but the things invisible are for l’olamim.
5 For we have da’as that if the beit mishkaneinu [IYOV 4:19; 2C 4:7] is made churban, we have a bais from Hashem, a Bais not made with hands, in Shomayim L’olamim. [YESHAYAH 38:12]
2 For indeed in this mishkaneinu we groan, longing for the train of our robe to be our sukkah from Shomayim. [Ro 8:23]
3 If indeed thus clothed we will not be found naked.
4 For while we are still in this mishkan, we groan under our burden, in as much as we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, that the mortal may be swallowed up by Chayyim.[1C 15:53-54]
5 Now the One having prepared us for this very thing is Hashem, the One having given us the eravon (pledge) of the Ruach Hakodesh. [Ro 8:16,23; 2C 1:22; Ep 1:13]
6 Therefore we always have bitachon since we have da’as that being at home in the basar, we are away from home in Adoneinu. [MJ 11:13-16]
7 For we walk by emunah (faith), not by sight; [1C 13:12]
8 Therefore we have bitachon and are pleased rather to leave home from the basar and to be at home with Adoneinu. [Pp 1:23]
9 Therefore, also we are aspiring, whether at home, or away from home, to be well pleasing to Hashem, [Co 1:10; 1Th 4:1]
10 Since it is necessary for all of us to be revealed/laid bare for an appearance before the Kisse Din (Judgment Throne, i.e., Moshiach’s Bet Din) of Moshiach, in order that each one of us [individually] may receive recompense for the things done in the basar, according to his ma’asim, whether tov or rah. [1C 9:27; 3:10-15; Koh 12:14; Yn 5:22; Ac 17:31; Ro 2:16; 14:10]
11 Therefore, since we have da’as of the yirat [Moshiach] Adoneinu, we persuade men, and we have been made manifest to Hashem and I have tikvah also that we have been made manifest to your matzpunim. [Job 23:15; 2C 4:2]
12 We are not commending ourselves to you again [2C 3:1], but are giving an opportunity to you of glorying on behalf of us [2C 1:14] that you may respond to those who glory in outer appearance and not in lev.
13 For if we seem meshuggah, it is for Hashem; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
14 For the ahavah (love) of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach controls us, because we have judged this, that one [Moshiach] died on behalf of all and therefore all died.
15 And Moshiach died, on behalf of all [I Ti 2:6] that the ones living may no longer live to themselves but may live to the one [Moshiach] who both died and has been made to stand up alive in his Techiyas HaMoshiach for their sakes. [Ro 14:7-8]
16 From now on, therefore, we have da’as of no one from a purely human point of view; if indeed we have had da’as of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach according to the basar, we now no longer so have da’as of him,
17 So that if anyone is in Moshiach, he is a bria chadasha (a new being) [Ro 8:1,10; Ga 6:15]: the old things passed away; hinei, all has become chadashot. [YESHAYAH 43:18; 65:17; Rv 21:5]
18 And all things are of Hashem, Who is the One having granted to us ritztzuy (reconciliation) to Himself through Moshiach [Ro 5:10] and has given to us the sherut haRitztzuy (the ministry of reconciliation),
19 Davka (specifically), that Hashem was in Moshiach reconciling the Olam to himself, [Ro 3:24-25; Co 1:19-20) Not reckoning their avonot against them and putting in us the Dvar HaRitztzuy (Message of Reconciliation).
20 On behalf of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, therefore, we are emissaries of shalom [YESHAYAH 27:5; 52:7; Ep 6:20], as if Hashem were entreating through us, we ask on behalf of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach: be reconciled to Hashem!
21 The one who in his person had no da’as of chattat (sin) [Ac 3:14; Yn 8:46; MJ 4:15; 7:26; 1K 2:22; 1Y 3:5], this one Hashem made a chattat sin offering [Ga 3:13; YESHAYAH 53:10; VAYIKRA 4:24 TARGUM HASHIVIM] on our behalf that we might become the Tzidkat Hashem [DANIEL 9:24] in Moshiach. [1C 1:30; Pp 3:9] [T.N. In this next chapter Rav Sha’ul warns against associations or worldly influences or fascinations that will contaminate the believer, who should not think he can have both the world’s evil pleasures and the House of G-d’s holy chelek.]
6 As we work together with him, we also urge you not to receive the Chen v’Chesed Hashem in vain. [2C 5:20]
2 For he says "In a time acceptable I heard you and in a day of salvation I helped you" [YESHAYAH 49:8]. Hinei, now is the acceptable time; now is the Yom Yeshu’ah, [Ps 69:13; Isa 55:6; Lk.4:19-21]
3 Not giving in anything a cause for michshol, lest the Messianic Avodas Kodesh (holy worship, service) be blamed;
4 But in everything presenting ourselves [2C 4:2] as mesharetim of Hashem in much savlanut (patience), in tzoros, in hardships, in distresses,
5 In beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in tzomot;
6 In purity, in da’as, in longsuffering, in chesed, in the Ruach Hakodesh, in ahavah amittit,
7 In the dvar HaEmes, in the gevurat Hashem, through the weapons of Tzedek of the right hand and of the left.
8 Through honor and dishonor, through ill repute and good repute; as "deceivers" and yet true,
9 As being unknown and yet being well known, as dying and hinei, we live! As given the mishpat mavet and yet not penalized with death;
10 As having agmat nefesh but always having simcha, as poor but enriching many, as having nothing and yet possessing everything.
11 We have spoken freely with you Corinthians, our levavot has been enlarged.
12 There is no penury in our affections, only in yours.
13 Now (I speak as to yeladim) make a fair exchange and open wide your levavot [1C 4:14].
14 Do not become unequally yoked with koferim (unbelievers) [Ep 5:7,11] for what shuttafut (partnership) has Tzedek with Lawlessness? Or where is the Brit (Covenant) between Ohr (light) and Choshech (darkness)? [BERESHIS 24:3; DEVARIM 22:10]
15 And what harmony does Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach have with B’liya’al? Or what chelek (allotment, inheritance) has a ma’amin with an Apikoros?
16 And what agreement has the Heikhal of Hashem with elilim? For we are a Heikhal of the Elohim Chayyim [1C 3:16; 6:19] as G-d said, "V’HITHALLACHTI B’TOCHCHEM ("And I will walk in the midst of you" [VAYIKRA 26:12] I WILL BE MISHKANI ALEHEM ("dwelling place of me with them" [YECHEZKEL 37:27]) V’HAYU LI L’AM VAANI EHEYEH LAHEM LELOHIM [YIRMEYAH 32:38] ("And they will be to me as people and I will be to them as G-d." [YIRMEYAH 32:38]
17 Therefore, SURU (Depart!), come out from the midst of them and be separated, says Adoneinu, and a TAMEH AL TIGAU "unclean thing do not touch;" [YESHAYAH 52:11] ERTZEH ETCHEM "and I will receive you”, [YECHEZKEL 20:34,41; Rv 18:4]
18 And I will be to you an AV and you will be to me BANIM and BANOT ("my daughters" [SHMUEL BAIS 7:8,14; YESHAYAH 43:6; YIRMEYAH 31:9] says Adonoi Tzva’ot. [SHEMOT 4:22; DIVREY HAYAMIM ALEF 17:13; AMOS 3:13; 4:13 TARGUM HASHIVIM Rv 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 21:22]
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