1 ¶ Therefore since we have this ministry, even as we have received mercy, we are not discouraged;

2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not resorting to craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by clearly speaking the truth we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

3 For if our gospel is hidden, it is hidden to those who are lost:

4 For the minds of those who do not believe have been blinded by the god of this world, that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, might not reach them.

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

6 Because God, who once commanded light to shine out of darkness, made his light shine in our hearts, to give us 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, to show that its extraordinary power comes from God, and not from us.

8 ¶ We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair;

9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

10 Always bearing in our body the death of our Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

11 For we who are alive are always being delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life might also be revealed in our mortal bodies.

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

13 Having the same spirit of faith, as he who wrote, I believed, and therefore I have spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

14 Knowing that he who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and bring us into his presence together with you.

15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is abounding more and more might cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

16 For that reason we do not lose heart; on the contrary, even though our outward man dies, our inner man is being renewed day by day.

17 For our light affliction, which lasts but a moment, is preparing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond all comparison;

18 So we do not concentrate on 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.