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

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

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 the 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,

Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who perish;

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.

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.

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

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

seeing it is God who said, “Light will 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.

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 clay vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves.

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

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

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

pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet 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 in the body the putting to death of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed 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 also of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal flesh.

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

So then death works 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,

But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, “I believed, and therefore I spoke.” We also believe, and therefore also we 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 the Lord Jesus will raise us also 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 the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

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 don’t faint, but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is 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 for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an 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 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.