Shared Word Translation
2 Corinthians 4
Treasure in Clay Jars
Therefore, since we have this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor falsifying the word of God, but by the open statement of the truth commending ourselves to every conscience in the sight of God.
And even if our good news is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, so that they might not see the light of the good news of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the surpassing power may be from God and not from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.
For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.
Living by Faith
But having the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, and therefore we also speak, knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you.
For all things are for your sake, so that grace, increasing through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outer person is wasting away, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For this light affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are temporary, but the things that are unseen are eternal.