2 CorinthiansChapter 4
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1God in his mercy has given us this work to do. So we do not give up. 2Instead, we have turned away from secret and shameful ways. We do not trick people. We do not twist the word of God. No, we tell the truth plainly. That is how we show every person's conscience who we are, while God watches. 3Even if our good news is covered with a veil, it is covered only to those who are perishing. 4The god of this age has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. So they cannot see the light of the good news. This good news shows the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5We do not preach about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord. And we say that we are your servants for Jesus' sake. 6God said, "Let light shine out of darkness." He made his light shine in our hearts. He did this to give us the light of knowing God's glory. We see that glory in the face of Jesus Christ. 7Now we have this treasure in jars of clay. This shows that this great power is from God and not from us. 8Trouble presses on us from every side, but we are not crushed. We don't know what to do, but we don't give up hope. 9People attack us, but we are not forsaken. We are knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10We always carry the death of Jesus around in our bodies. That way the life of Jesus can also be seen in our bodies. 11We who are alive are always being handed over to death for Jesus' sake. That way the life of Jesus can also be seen in our bodies that will die. 12So death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 13It is written, "I believed, so I have spoken." We have that same spirit of faith. We also believe, and so we speak. 14We know that God raised the Lord Jesus. He will also raise us with Jesus. And he will bring us with you into his presence. 15All this is for your good. God's grace is reaching more and more people. So more and more thanks will flow out, and this brings glory to God. 16So we do not give up. Our outside self is wearing away. But our inside self is being made new day by day. 17Our troubles are light, and they last only a moment. They are making for us a glory that lasts forever. It is so heavy and great that nothing can compare to it. 18So we don't keep our eyes on what can be seen. We keep them on what can't be seen. What can be seen lasts only for a while. But what can't be seen lasts forever.