 1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not faint. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness or handling the Word of God deceitfully, but by the manifestation of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone's+ conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our Gospel is hid, it is hid to those who are lost. 4 The god of this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine forth to them. 5 For we do not proclaim+ ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord. We are your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shown in our hearts the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels so that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed. We are perplexed but not in despair. 9 We are persecuted but not forsaken, cast down but not destroyed. 10 We always bear the dying of the Lord Jesus in the body so that the life of Jesus might be revealed+ in our body. 11 For we who live are always being delivered to death for Jesus' sake so that the life of Jesus might also be revealed+ in our mortal flesh. 12 So then, death is working in us, but life in you. 13 We have the same spirit of faith. As it is written: I believed and therefore I have spoken. We also believe, and therefore speak, Psalm 116:10 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up by Jesus and present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, so that the abundant grace might, through the thanksgiving of many, abound+ to the glory of God. 16 For this reason+, we do not faint, but though our outward person may perish, yet the inward is renewed day by day. 17 For our light suffering+, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 18 We do not look at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen. For the things that are seen are temporal~. But the things that are not seen are eternal.
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