2 Corinthians, Chapter 4

1. Therefore, we are not weary in this ministry which we have received, according to the mercies that have been upon us:    2. But we have renounced the concealments of dishonor, and we walk not in craftiness, nor do we treat the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth, we exhibit ourselves to all the consciences of men before God.    3. And if our gospel is vailed, it is vailed to them that perish;    4. to them whose minds the God of this world hath blinded, in order that they might not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of the Messiah (who is the likeness of God) should dawn upon them.    5. For it is not ourselves that we preach, but the Messiah, Jesus our Lord; and, as to ourselves, that we are your servants for Jesus' sake.    6. Because God, who commanded the light to arise from darkness, hath himself shined in our hearts, that we might be illuminated with the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of Jesus the Messiah.    7. But we have this treasure in an earthen vessel, that the excellency of the power might be from God, and not from us.    8. And in every thing we are oppressed, but not suffocated; we are corrected, but not condemned;    9. we are persecuted, but not forsaken; we are prostrated, but perish not.    10. For we bear in our body, at all times, the dying of Jesus; that the life also of Jesus might be manifested in our body.    11. For if we are delivered over alive unto death, for Jesus' sake, even so also will the life of Jesus be manifested in this our mortal body.    12. Now therefore, in us death is active, but in you, life.    13. Having therefore the same spirit of faith, (as it is written, I believed, therefore also have I spoken,) we also believe, and therefore speak;    14. knowing that he, who resuscitated our Lord Jesus, will also resuscitate us by Jesus, and will receive us, with you, to himself.    15. For all things are for your sakes, that while grace aboundeth by means of many, thanksgiving may abound to the glory of God.    16. For this cause we faint not; for though our outward man perish, yet the inner [man] is renovated day by day.    17. For the affliction of the present time, though very small and light, prepareth for us great glory, without end, for ever and ever;    18. while we look not at these seen things, but at those not seen; for these seen things are temporary, but those not seen are eternal.