Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as we received mercy, we are not discouraged.
On the contrary, we have renounced hidden, shameful things, not walking in craftiness, nor adulterating the word of God, but by the open display of the truth we are commending ourselves in the presence of God to every person’s conscience.
(But even if our good news is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
in whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe, to keep them from seeing and shining forth the light of the good news of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.)
For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake,
because it is God who said “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shined in our hearts, to provide illumination by way of the knowledge of the glory of God, which is on the face of Jesus Christ.
Treasure in Jars of Clay
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the exceeding greatness of the power will be of God, and not from ourselves.
We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not driven to despair;
persecuted, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed;
always carrying around in our body the putting to death of Jesus, so that the life also of Jesus can be made visible in our body.
For we who live are always handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also will be visible in our mortal flesh.
So then death keeps working in us, but life in you.
But since we have the same spirit of trust as that shown in what has been written, I believed, and therefore I spoke, we also believe and so we also speak,
knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us up also to be with Jesus, and will bring us, along with you, into his presence.
For all these things are for your sake, so that grace, as it is spreading to more and more people, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
So we are not discouraged. On the contrary, even though our outward self is wasting away, yet our inner self is renewed day by day.
For our light momentary affliction is producing for us an everlasting weight of glory beyond all measure,
because 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 temporary, but the things that are not seen are everlasting.