2 Corinthians 4
4
Treasures in Jars of Clay
1For this reason, since we have this ministry, just as we received mercy, we do not lose heart.
2Instead, we renounced the hidden shameful ways—not walking in deception or distorting the word of God, but commending ourselves before God to everyone’s conscience by the open proclamation of the truth.
3And even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
4In their case, the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, so 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 slaves for Yeshua’s sake.
6For God, who said, “Let light 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 Messiah.
7But we have this treasure in jars of clay, so that the surpassing greatness of the power may be from God and not from ourselves.
8We are hard pressed in every way, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not in despair;
9persecuted, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed;
10always carrying in the body the death of Yeshua, so that the life of Yeshua may also be revealed in our mortal body.
11For we who live are always being handed over to death for Yeshua’s sake, so that the life of Yeshua may be revealed in our mortal body.
12So death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
13But we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, and therefore I spoke.” So we also believe, and therefore we also speak,
14knowing that the One who raised the Lord Yeshua will raise us also with Yeshua, and will bring us with you into His presence.
15For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace that is spreading through more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow—to the glory of God.
16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.
17For our trouble, light and momentary, is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,
18as we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
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Copyright © 2014 - Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society
2 Corinthians 4
4
Preaching the Good News
1God, with his mercy, gave us this work to do, so we don’t give up. 2But we have turned away from secret and shameful ways. We use no trickery, and we do not change the teaching of God. We teach the truth plainly, showing everyone who we are. Then they can know in their hearts what kind of people we are in God’s sight. 3If the Good News that we preach is hidden, it is hidden only to those who are lost. 4The devil who rules this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe. They cannot see the light of the Good News—the Good News about the glory of Christ, who is exactly like God. 5We do not preach about ourselves, but we preach that Jesus Christ is Lord and that we are your servants for Jesus. 6God once said, “Let the light shine out of the darkness!” This is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts by letting us know the glory of God that is in the face of Christ.
Spiritual Treasure in Clay Jars
7We have this treasure from God, but we are like clay jars that hold the treasure. This shows that the great power is from God, not from us. 8We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We do not know what to do, but we do not give up the hope of living. 9We are persecuted, but God does not leave us. We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed. 10We carry the death of Jesus in our own bodies so that the life of Jesus can also be seen in our bodies. 11We are alive, but for Jesus we are always in danger of death so that the life of Jesus can be seen in our bodies that die. 12So death is working in us, but life is working in you.
13It is written in the Scriptures, “I believed, so I spoke.” Our faith is like this, too. We believe, and so we speak. 14God raised the Lord Jesus from the dead, and we know that God will also raise us with Jesus. God will bring us together with you, and we will stand before him. 15All these things are for you. And so the grace of God that is being given to more and more people will bring increasing thanks to God for his glory.
Living by Faith
16So we do not give up. Our physical body is becoming older and weaker, but our spirit inside us is made new every day. 17We have small troubles for a while now, but they are helping us gain an eternal glory that is much greater than the troubles. 18We set our eyes not on what we see but on what we cannot see. What we see will last only a short time, but what we cannot see will last forever.
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The Holy Bible, New Century Version, Copyright © 2005 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.