2 Corinthians 4

1 On account of this, having this ministry, just as we received mercy, we do not grow fainthearted.

2 But we renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor distorting the word of God, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every conscience of men before God.

3 But if indeed our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those perishing,

4 in whom the god of this age blinded the minds of the unbelieving, so as not to shine forth the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

5 For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus [as] Lord, and ourselves [as] your⁺ servants on account of Jesus.

6 For God [is] the One having said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who shone in our hearts for the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 Now we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the supereminence of the power may be from God and not from us,

8 being pressed in every [way] but not being crushed, being perplexed but not despairing,

9 being persecuted but not being forsaken, being struck down but not being destroyed,

10 always carrying around the death [of] Jesus in the body, so that the life of Jesus also may be revealed in our body.

11 For we the living are always being delivered to death on account of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh.

12 So then, death works in us, but life in you⁺.

13 But having the same spirit of faith according to that having been written: “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, and therefore we speak,

14 knowing that the One having raised the Lord Jesus also will raise us with Jesus and will present [us] with you⁺.

15 For all things [are] on account of you⁺, so that the grace having increased on account of more [people] may make abundant the thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

16 Therefore we do not grow fainthearted; but if also our outer man decays, yet our inner one is renewed day and day.

17 For the momentary lightness of our affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory, from supereminence to supereminence,

18 in [our] not looking at the things being seen, but the things not being seen. For the things being seen [are] temporary, but the things not being seen [are] eternal.