Paul’s Apostolic Ministry

4 Therefore, since we have this ^(A)ministry, as we ^(B)received mercy, we ^(C)do not lose heart, ² but we have renounced the ^(D)things hidden because of shame, not walking in trickery nor ^(E)distorting the word of God, but by the open proclamation of the truth ^(F)commending ourselves to every person’s conscience in the sight of God. ³ And even if our ^(G)gospel is ^(H)veiled, it is veiled ^[a]to ^(I)those who are perishing, ⁴ in whose case ^(J)the god of ^(K)this ^[b]world has ^(L)blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that ^[c]they will not see the ^(M)light of the gospel of the ^(N)glory of Christ, who is the ^(O)image of God. ⁵ For we ^(P)do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants ^[d]on account of Jesus. ⁶ For God, who said, “^(Q)Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has ^(R)shone in our hearts to give the ^(S)Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

⁷ But we have this treasure in ^[e](T)earthen containers, so that the extraordinary greatness of ^(U)the power will be of God and not from ourselves; ⁸ we are ^(V)afflicted in every way, but not ^(W)crushed; ^(X)perplexed, but not despairing; ^9 (Y)persecuted, but not ^(Z)abandoned; ^(AA)struck down, but not destroyed; ^10 (AB)always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that ^(AC)the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ For we who live are constantly being handed over to death because of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. ¹² So death works in us, but life in you.

¹³ But having the same ^(AD)spirit of faith, according to what is written: “^(AE)I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak, ¹⁴ knowing that He who ^(AF)raised the Lord Jesus ^(AG)will also raise us with Jesus, and will ^(AH)present us with you. ¹⁵ For all things are ^(AI)for your sakes, so that grace, having ^[f](AJ)spread to more and more people, will cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

¹⁶ Therefore we ^(AK)do not lose heart, but though our outer person is decaying, yet our ^(AL)inner person is ^(AM)being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our momentary, ^(AN)light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, ¹⁸ while we ^(AO)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.