2 Corinthians 4:6-18

Christian Standard Bible

⁶ For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”^(A) has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge^(B) of God’s glory^(C) in the face of Jesus Christ.

Treasure in Clay Jars

⁷ Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power^(D) may be from God and not from us. ⁸ We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; ⁹ we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry the death of Jesus^(E) in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be displayed in our body. ¹¹ For we who live are always being given over to death^(F) for Jesus’s sake, so that Jesus’s life may also be displayed in our mortal flesh. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life in you. ¹³ And since we have the same spirit of faith in keeping with what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke,^[a](G) we also believe, and therefore speak. ¹⁴ For we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus^(H) and present us with you. ¹⁵ Indeed, everything is for your benefit so that, as grace extends through more and more people, it may cause thanksgiving^(I) to increase to the glory of God.

¹⁶ Therefore we do not give up.^(J) Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person^(K) is being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our momentary light affliction^(L) is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.^{(M) 18} So we do not focus on what is seen,^(N) but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.