1 T herefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart,

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.

2 b ut we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

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

3 A nd even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,

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

4 i n whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

5 F or we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.

For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.

6 F or God, who said, “ Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Cast Down but Unconquered

7 B ut we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

8 w e are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9 p ersecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—

10 a lways carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

11 F or we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

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

12 S o death works in us, but life in you.

So then death is working in us, but life in you.

13 B ut having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “ I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak,

And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak,

14 k nowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you.

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

15 F or all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.

For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. Seeing the Invisible

16 T herefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

17 F or momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

18 w hile we look not 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.

while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.