New King James Version

English Standard Version

The Light of Christ’s Gospel

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.

The Light of the Gospel

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God,a we do not lose heart.

But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor [a]handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

2

But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practiceb cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.

3

But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,

3

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

4

whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

4

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

5

For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.

5

For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servantsc for Jesus’ sake.

6

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

6

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.

7

Cast Down but Unconquered

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

7

Treasure in Jars of Clay

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

8

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

8

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;

9

persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed —

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persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

10

always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

10

always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

11

For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

11

For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

12

So then death is working in us, but life in you.

12

So death is at work in us, but life in you.

13

And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak,

13

Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak,

14

knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.

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knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.

15

For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

15

For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

16

Seeing the Invisible

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

16

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer selfd is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

17

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

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For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

18

while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

18

as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Parallel

New King James Version

English Standard Version

2 Corinthians 4

2 Corinthians 4