Therefore, having this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we do not faint.
2But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor corrupting the Word of God, but by the revelation of the truth commending ourselves to every conscience of men before God.
3But also if our gospel is being hidden, it has been hidden in those being lost,
4in whom the god of this age has blinded the thoughts of the unbelieving, so that the brightness of the gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God, should not dawn on them.
5For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves your slaves for the sake of Jesus.
6Because it is God who said, "Out of darkness Light shall shine," who shone in our hearts to give the brightness of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (See Isa. 42:6, 7, 16)
7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the excellence of the power may be of God, and not from us;
8in every way being troubled, not being hemmed in; being perplexed, but not utterly at a loss;
9being persecuted, but not being forsaken; being thrown down, but not having been destroyed;
10always bearing about the dying of the Lord Jesus in the body, that also the life of Jesus may be revealed in our body.
11For we who live are always being delivered up to death on account of Jesus, that also the life of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal flesh;
12so that death indeed works in us, and life in you.
13But having the same spirit of faith, according to what has been written, "I believed, therefore I spoke," we also believe, therefore we also speak, (See LXX-Psa. 115:1; MT-Psa. 116:10)
14knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up through Jesus, and will present us with you.
15For all things are for you, that the grace may superabound through the greater number, and may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
16Because of this, we do not faint, but if indeed our outward man is being decayed, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
17For the lightness of our present affliction works out for us an eternal weight of glory, surpassing moment by surpassing moment;
18we not considering the things seen, but the things not being seen; for the things being seen are not lasting, but the things not being seen are everlasting.