2 Corinthians 3:17-4:11

English Standard Version

¹⁷ Now the Lord^[a] is the Spirit, and where ^(A)the Spirit of the Lord is, there is ^(B)freedom. ¹⁸ And we all, with unveiled face, ^(C)beholding ^(D)the glory of the Lord,^{[b] (E)}are being transformed into the same image ^(F)from one degree of glory to another.^[c] For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

The Light of the Gospel

4 Therefore, having ^(G)this ministry ^(H)by the mercy of God,^[d] we do not lose heart. ² But we have renounced ^(I)disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice^[e] cunning or ^(J)to tamper with God's word, but ^(K)by the open statement of the truth ^(L)we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. ³ And even ^(M)if our gospel is veiled, ^(N)it is veiled to ^(O)those who are perishing. ⁴ In their case ^(P)the god of this world ^(Q)has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing ^(R)the light of ^(S)the gospel of the glory of Christ, ^(T)who is the image of God. ⁵ For what ^(U)we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ^(V)ourselves as your servants^[f] for Jesus' sake. ⁶ For God, who said, ^(W)“Let light shine out of darkness,” ^(X)has shone in our hearts to give ^(Y)the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Treasure in Jars of Clay

⁷ But we have this treasure in ^(Z)jars of clay, ^(AA)to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. ⁸ We are ^(AB)afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; ⁹ persecuted, but ^(AC)not forsaken; ^(AD)struck down, but not destroyed; ^10 (AE)always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, ^(AF)so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. ¹¹ For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.