1 P or lo cual, teniendo nosotros este ministerio según la misericordia que hemos recibido, no desmayamos.

Therefore, since we do hold and engage in this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not get discouraged (spiritless and despondent with fear) or become faint with weariness and exhaustion.

2 A ntes bien renunciamos a lo oculto y vergonzoso, no andando con astucia, ni adulterando la palabra de Dios, sino por la manifestación de la verdad recomendándonos a toda conciencia humana delante de Dios.

We have renounced disgraceful ways (secret thoughts, feelings, desires and underhandedness, the methods and arts that men hide through shame); we refuse to deal craftily (to practice trickery and cunning) or to adulterate or handle dishonestly the Word of God, but we state the truth openly (clearly and candidly). And so we commend ourselves in the sight and presence of God to every man’s conscience.

3 P ero si nuestro evangelio está aún encubierto, entre los que se pierden está encubierto;

But even if our Gospel (the glad tidings) also be hidden (obscured and covered up with a veil that hinders the knowledge of God), it is hidden to those who are perishing and obscured to those who are spiritually dying and veiled to those who are lost.

4 e n los cuales el dios de este siglo cegó el entendimiento de los incrédulos, para que no les resplandezca la luz del evangelio de la gloria de Cristo, el cual es la imagen de Dios.

For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers’ minds, preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God.

5 P orque no nos predicamos a nosotros mismos, sino a Jesucristo como Señor, y a nosotros como vuestros siervos por amor de Jesús.

For what we preach is not ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants (slaves) for Jesus’ sake.

6 P orque Dios, que mandó que de las tinieblas resplandeciese la luz, es el que resplandeció en nuestros corazones, para iluminación del conocimiento de la gloria de Dios en la faz de Jesucristo. Viviendo por la fe

For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

7 P ero tenemos este tesoro en vasos de barro, para que la excelencia del poder sea de Dios, y no de nosotros,

However, we possess this precious treasure in vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves.

8 q ue estamos atribulados en todo, mas no angustiados; en apuros, mas no desesperados;

We are hedged in (pressed) on every side, but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair;

9 p erseguidos, mas no desamparados; derribados, pero no destruidos;

We are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but not deserted; we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed;

10 l levando en el cuerpo siempre por todas partes la muerte de Jesús, para que también la vida de Jesús se manifieste en nuestros cuerpos.

Always carrying about in the body the liability and exposure to the same putting to death that the Lord Jesus suffered, so that the '> resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown forth by and in our bodies.

11 P orque nosotros que vivimos, siempre estamos entregados a muerte por causa de Jesús, para que también la vida de Jesús se manifieste en nuestra carne mortal.

For we who live are constantly being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, that the '> resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced through our flesh which is liable to death.

12 D e manera que la muerte actúa en nosotros, y en vosotros la vida.

Thus death is actively at work in us, but '> our] life in you.

13 P ero teniendo el mismo espíritu de fe, conforme a lo que está escrito: Creí, por lo cual hablé, nosotros también creemos, por lo cual también hablamos,

Yet we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, I have believed, and therefore have I spoken. We too believe, and therefore we speak,

14 s abiendo que el que resucitó al Señor Jesús, a nosotros también nos resucitará con Jesús, y nos presentará juntamente con vosotros.

Assured that He Who raised up the Lord Jesus will raise us up also with Jesus and bring us with you into His presence.

15 P orque todas estas cosas padecemos por amor a vosotros, para que abundando la gracia por medio de muchos, la acción de gracias sobreabunde para gloria de Dios.

For all things are for your sake, so that the more grace (divine favor and spiritual blessing) extends to more and more people and multiplies through the many, the more thanksgiving may increase to the glory of God.

16 P or tanto, no desmayamos; antes aunque este nuestro hombre exterior se va desgastando, el interior no obstante se renueva de día en día.

Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day after day.

17 P orque esta leve tribulación momentánea produce en nosotros un cada vez más excelente y eterno peso de gloria;

For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory,

18 n o mirando nosotros las cosas que se ven, sino las que no se ven; pues las cosas que se ven son temporales, pero las que no se ven son eternas.

Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting.