2 Corinthians 4
4
Treasure in Clay Jars
1God has been kind enough to trust us with this work. This is why we never give up. 2We don't do shameful things that must be kept secret. And we don't try to fool anyone or twist God's message around. God is our witness that we speak only the truth, so others will be sure we can be trusted. 3If there is anything hidden about our message, it is hidden only to someone who is lost.
4The god who rules this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers. They cannot see the light, which is the good news about our glorious Christ, who shows what God is like. 5We are not preaching about ourselves. Our message is that Jesus Christ is Lord. He also sent us to be your servants. 6#Gn 1.3. The Scriptures say, “God commanded light to shine in the dark.” Now God is shining in our hearts to let you know that his glory is seen in Jesus Christ.
7We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us. 8We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don't know what to do, we never give up. 9In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again. 10-11We face death every day because of Jesus. Our bodies show what his death was like, so his life can also be seen in us. 12This means that death is working in us, but life is working in you.
13In the Scriptures it says, “I spoke because I had faith.” We have this same kind of faith. So we speak 14because we know that God raised the Lord Jesus to life. And just as God raised Jesus, he will also raise us to life. Then he will bring us into his presence together with you. 15All of this has been done for you, so more and more people will know how kind God is and will praise and honor him.
Faith in the Lord
16We never give up. Our bodies are gradually dying, but we ourselves are being made stronger each day. 17These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing. 18Things that are seen don't last forever, but things that are not seen are eternal. This is why we keep our minds on the things that cannot be seen.
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.
2 Corinthians 4
4
1Therefore, seeing we have this ministration, according as we have obtained mercy, we faint not;
2But we renounce the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor adulterating the word of God; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience, in the sight of God.
3And if our gospel be also hid, it is hid to them that are lost,
4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of unbelievers, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not shine unto them.
5For we preach not ourselves, but Jesus Christ our Lord; and ourselves your servants through Jesus.
6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Christ Jesus.
7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the power of God, and not of us.
8In all things we suffer tribulation, but are not distressed; we are straitened, but are not destitute;
9We suffer persecution, but are not forsaken; we are cast down, but we perish not:
10Always bearing about in our body the mortification of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our bodies.
11For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake; that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
13But having the same spirit of faith, as it is written: I believed, for which cause I have spoken; we also believe, for which cause we speak also:
14Knowing that he who raised up Jesus, will raise us up also with Jesus, and place us with you.
15For all things are for your sakes; that the grace abounding through many, may abound in thanksgiving unto the glory of God.
16For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man is corrupted, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17For that which is at present momentary and light of our tribulation, worketh for us above measure exceedingly an eternal weight of glory.
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.
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An historical text maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.