The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians

⭑ Unlocked Literal Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 4 -

Therefore, because we have this ministry, and just as we have received mercy, we do not become discouraged.

Instead, we have renounced the ways that are shameful and hidden. We do not live by craftiness, and we do not mishandle the word of God. By presenting the truth, we recommend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.

But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing.

In their case, the god of this world has blinded their unbelieving minds. As a result, they are not able to see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

For God is the one who said, “Light will shine out of darkness.” He has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the presence of Jesus Christ.

Treasure in Jars of Clay

(Romans 6:1–14)

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, so that it is clear that the exceedingly great power belongs to God and not to us.

We are afflicted in every way, but not overwhelmed. We are perplexed but not filled with despair.

We are persecuted but not forsaken. We are struck down but not destroyed.

We always carry in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be shown in our bodies.

We who are alive are always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be shown in our human bodies.

So death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

But we have the same spirit of faith according to that which was written: “I believed, and so I spoke.” We also believe, and so we also speak.

We know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus. We know that he will bring us with you into his presence.

Everything is for your sake so that, as grace is spread to many people, thanksgiving may increase to the glory of God.

So we do not become discouraged. Even though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

For this momentary, light affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory that exceeds all measurement.

For we are not watching for things that are seen, but for things that are unseen. The things which we can see are temporary, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we don’t faint.

But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who are dying,

in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them.

For we don’t preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake,

seeing it is God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,”(a) who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Treasure in Jars of Clay

(Romans 6:1–14)

But we have this treasure in clay vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves.

We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair;

pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed;

always carrying in the body the putting to death of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal flesh.

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

But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, “I believed, and therefore I spoke.”(b) We also believe, and therefore we also speak,

knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will present us with you.

For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

Therefore we don’t faint, but though our outward person is decaying, yet our inward person is renewed day by day.

For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory,

while we don’t look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Footnotes

(a)4:6 ℘ Genesis 1:3

(b)4:13 ℘ Psalms 116:10