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2 Corinthians 4
American Standard Version

4 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint not: 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 And even if our [a]gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that [b]perish: 4 in whom the god of this [c]world hath blinded the [d]minds of the unbelieving, [e]that the [f]light of the [g]gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your [h]servants [i]for Jesus’ sake. 6 Seeing it is God, that said, [j]Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the [k]light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in earthen 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 straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; 9 pursued, yet not [l]forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed; 10 always bearing about in the body the [m]dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you. 13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, [n]I believed, and therefore did I speak; we also believe, and therefore also we speak; 14 knowing that he that raised up [o]the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also with Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through [p]the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God.

16 Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; 18 while we 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.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 4:3 See marginal note on 2:12.
  2. 2 Corinthians 4:3 Or, are perishing
  3. 2 Corinthians 4:4 Or, age
  4. 2 Corinthians 4:4 Greek thoughts.
  5. 2 Corinthians 4:4 Or, that they should not see the light . . . image of God
  6. 2 Corinthians 4:4 Greek illumination.
  7. 2 Corinthians 4:4 See marginal note on 2:12.
  8. 2 Corinthians 4:5 Greek bondservants. Compare 1 Cor. 9:19.
  9. 2 Corinthians 4:5 Some ancient authorities read through Jesus.
  10. 2 Corinthians 4:6 Gen. 1:3.
  11. 2 Corinthians 4:6 Greek illumination.
  12. 2 Corinthians 4:9 Or, left behind
  13. 2 Corinthians 4:10 Greek putting to death.
  14. 2 Corinthians 4:13 Ps. 116:10.
  15. 2 Corinthians 4:14 Some ancient authorities omit the Lord.
  16. 2 Corinthians 4:15 Greek the more.
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2 Corinthians 4
New International Version

Present Weakness and Resurrection Life

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

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

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

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

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 4:6 Gen. 1:3
  2. 2 Corinthians 4:13 Psalm 116:10 (see Septuagint)
  3. 2 Corinthians 4:13 Or Spirit-given
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2 Corinthians 3
2 Corinthians 5
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