² Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways;^(A) we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.^(B) On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience^(C) in the sight of God. ³ And even if our gospel^(D) is veiled,^(E) it is veiled to those who are perishing.^{(F) 4} The god^(G) of this age^(H) has blinded^(I) the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ,^(J) who is the image of God.^{(K) 5} For what we preach is not ourselves,^(L) but Jesus Christ as Lord,^(M) and ourselves as your servants^(N) for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”^[a](O) made his light shine in our hearts^(P) to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.^(Q)

⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay^(R) to show that this all-surpassing power is from God^(S) and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side,^(T) but not crushed; perplexed,^(U) but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted,^(V) but not abandoned;^(W) struck down, but not destroyed.^{(X) 10} We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus,^(Y) so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.^{(Z) 11} For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake,^(AA) 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.^(AB)

¹³ It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”^[b](AC) Since we have that same spirit of^[c] faith,^(AD) we also believe and therefore speak, ¹⁴ because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead^(AE) will also raise us with Jesus^(AF) and present us with you to himself.^{(AG) 15} All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving^(AH) to overflow to the glory of God.