Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

A true preacher is diligent. He does not corrupt the word of God. He does not preach himself, but seeks the honour of Christ – yea though it be at the risk of his life.

4 Therefore, seeing that we have such an office, even as mercy has come on us, we faint not, ² but have cast from us the cloaks of dishonesty, and do not walk in craftiness. Neither do we corrupt the word of God, but walk in open truth, and appeal to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. ³ If our gospel be yet hid, it is hid among those who are lost, ⁴ in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe, 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 to be the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For it is God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, which has shone 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, so that the surpassing power of it may be seen to be of God, and not of us. ⁸ We are troubled on every side, yet we are not without means. We are in poverty, but not utterly bereft. ⁹ We are persecuted, but are not forsaken. We are cast down, nevertheless we do not perish. ¹⁰ And we always bear in our bodies the dying of the Lord Jesus so that the life of Jesus may appear in our bodies. ¹¹ For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life also of Jesus may appear in our mortal flesh. ¹² So then, death works in us, and life in you.