New Testament · 2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 4

The Light of the Gospel

1Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, 2but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor adulterating the word^a of God, but by the manifestation of the truth^b commending ourselves to every man's conscience^c in the sight of God. 3And even if our good news is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,

4in whose case the god of this age has blinded the minds^d of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the good news of the glory of Messiah, who is the image of God. 5For we do not proclaim ourselves but Messiah Yeshua as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Yeshua's sake. 6For 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^f of the glory of God in the face of Yeshua Messiah.^e

Treasure in Jars of Clay

(Romans 6:1–14)

7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power^g will be of God and not from ourselves; 8we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

10always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Yeshua, so that the life^h of Yeshua also may be manifested in our body. 11For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Yeshua's sake, so that the life of Yeshua also may be manifested in our mortal fleshⁱ. 12So death works in us, but life in you.

13But having the same spirit^j of faith, according to what is written, "I believed, therefore I spoke," we also believe, therefore we also speak, 14knowing that He who raised the Lord Yeshua will raise us also through Yeshua and will present us with you. 15For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace^k which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.

16Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18while 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.