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2 Corinthians 4

We have this treasure in jars of clay. Hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; struck down, but not destroyed.

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Treasure in jars of clay

Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, Let light shine out of darkness, made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

1

Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.

King James Version, 1611

Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

2

Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.

King James Version, 1611

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

3

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

King James Version, 1611

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

4

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

King James Version, 1611

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

5

For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.

King James Version, 1611

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.

6

For God, who said, Let light shine out of darkness, made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ.

King James Version, 1611

For 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 Jesus Christ.

7

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

King James Version, 1611

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Not destroyed

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

8

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;

King James Version, 1611

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9

persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

King James Version, 1611

Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

10

We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

King James Version, 1611

Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

11

For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.

King James Version, 1611

For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

12

So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

King James Version, 1611

So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

Fix your eyes on the unseen

It is written: I believed; therefore I have spoken. Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

13

It is written: I believed; therefore I have spoken. Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak,

King James Version, 1611

We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

14

because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.

King James Version, 1611

Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

15

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

King James Version, 1611

For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

16

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

King James Version, 1611

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

17

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

King James Version, 1611

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

18

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

King James Version, 1611

While 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.