2 Corinthians 4
King James Version
4 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the 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 excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and 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.
2 Corinthians 4
Amplified Bible
Paul’s Apostolic Ministry
4 Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as we received mercy [from God, granting us salvation, opportunities, and blessings], we do not get discouraged nor lose our motivation. 2 But we have renounced the disgraceful things hidden because of shame; not walking in trickery or adulterating the word of God, but by stating the truth [openly and plainly], we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 But even if our gospel is [in some sense] hidden [behind a veil], it is hidden [only] to those who are perishing; 4 among them the god of this world [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelieving to prevent them from seeing the illuminating light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves [merely] as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give us the Light of the knowledge of the glory and majesty of God [clearly revealed] in the face of Christ.(A)
7 But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves. 8 We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; 9 hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed; 10 always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly [experiencing the threat of] being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced in our mortal body [which is subject to death]. 12 So physical death is [actively] at work in us, but [spiritual] life [is actively at work] in you.
13 Yet we have the same spirit of faith as he had, who wrote in Scripture, “I believed, therefore I spoke.” We also believe, therefore we also speak,(B) 14 knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and will present us [along] with you in His presence. 15 For all [these] things are for your sake, so that as [God’s remarkable, undeserved] grace reaches to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of [our great] God.
16 Therefore we do not become discouraged [spiritless, disappointed, or afraid]. Though our outer self is [progressively] wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary, light distress [this passing trouble] is producing for us an eternal weight of glory [a fullness] beyond all measure [surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness]! 18 So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable.
2 Corintios 4
Nueva Biblia de las Américas
Ministros de Cristo
4 Por tanto, puesto que tenemos este ministerio(A), según hemos recibido misericordia(B), no desfallecemos(C). 2 Más bien hemos renunciado a lo oculto y vergonzoso[a](D), no andando con astucia, ni adulterando la palabra de Dios(E), sino que, mediante la manifestación de la verdad, nos recomendamos(F) a la conciencia de todo hombre en la presencia de Dios.
3 Y si todavía nuestro evangelio(G) está velado(H), para[b] los que se pierden(I) está velado, 4 en los cuales el dios de este mundo(J) ha cegado el entendimiento[c](K) de los incrédulos, para que no vean el resplandor del evangelio de la gloria de Cristo(L), que es la imagen de Dios[d](M). 5 Porque no nos predicamos a nosotros mismos(N), sino a Cristo Jesús como Señor, y a nosotros como siervos de ustedes por amor[e] de Jesús. 6 Pues Dios, que dijo: «De las tinieblas resplandecerá la luz(O)», es el que ha resplandecido en nuestros corazones(P), para iluminación del conocimiento de la gloria de Dios en el rostro de Cristo(Q).
7 Pero tenemos este tesoro en vasos de barro(R), para que la extraordinaria grandeza del poder sea de Dios y no de nosotros(S). 8 Afligidos en todo(T), pero no agobiados(U); perplejos(V), pero no desesperados; 9 perseguidos(W), pero no abandonados(X); derribados, pero no destruidos(Y).
10 Llevamos siempre en el cuerpo por todas partes la muerte[f] de Jesús(Z), para que también la vida de Jesús se manifieste en nuestro cuerpo(AA). 11 Porque nosotros que vivimos, constantemente estamos siendo entregados a muerte por causa de Jesús, para que también la vida de Jesús se manifieste en nuestro cuerpo[g] mortal. 12 Así que en nosotros obra la muerte, pero en ustedes, la vida.
13 Pero teniendo el mismo espíritu de fe(AB), según lo que está escrito: «Creí, por tanto hablé(AC)», nosotros también creemos, por lo cual también hablamos, 14 sabiendo que Aquel que resucitó al Señor Jesús(AD), a nosotros también nos resucitará con Jesús(AE), y nos presentará junto con ustedes(AF). 15 Porque todo esto es por amor a ustedes[h](AG), para que la gracia que se está extendiendo por medio de muchos, haga que las acciones de gracias abunden para la gloria de Dios(AH).
Lo temporal y lo eterno
16 Por tanto no desfallecemos(AI), antes bien, aunque nuestro hombre exterior va decayendo, sin embargo nuestro hombre interior(AJ) se renueva(AK) de día en día. 17 Pues esta aflicción leve y pasajera nos produce un eterno peso de gloria que sobrepasa toda comparación(AL),
18 al no poner nuestra vista en las cosas que se ven, sino en las que no se ven(AM). Porque las cosas que se ven son temporales, pero las que no se ven son eternas.
Footnotes
- 2 Corintios 4:2 Lit. de la vergüenza.
- 2 Corintios 4:3 Lit. en.
- 2 Corintios 4:4 Lit. la mente.
- 2 Corintios 4:4 O para que la luz...que es la imagen de Dios, no les amanezca.
- 2 Corintios 4:5 O por medio.
- 2 Corintios 4:10 Lit. el morir.
- 2 Corintios 4:11 Lit. nuestra carne.
- 2 Corintios 4:15 O para bien de ustedes.
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