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The Light of the Gospel

¹ Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy,^(C1) we do not give up.^{(C2) 2} Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful things, not acting^(C1) deceitfully or distorting the word of God,^(C2) but commending ourselves before God to everyone’s conscience by an open display of the truth.^{(C3) 3} But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴ In their case, the god of this age^(C1) has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ,^(F1)(C2) who is the image of God.^{(C3) 5} For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord,^(C1) and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake. ⁶ For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”^(C1) has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge^(C2) of God’s glory^(C3) in the face of Jesus Christ.

Treasure in Clay Jars

⁷ Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power^(C1) may be from God and not from us. ⁸ We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; ⁹ we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry the death of Jesus^(C1) in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be displayed in our body. ¹¹ For we who live are always being given over to death^(C1) for Jesus’s sake, so that Jesus’s life may also be displayed in our mortal flesh. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life in you. ¹³ And since we have the same spirit of faith in keeping with what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke,^(F1)(C1) we also believe, and therefore speak. ¹⁴ For we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus^(C1) and present us with you. ¹⁵ Indeed, everything is for your benefit so that, as grace extends through more and more people, it may cause thanksgiving^(C1) to increase to the glory of God.

¹⁶ Therefore we do not give up.^(C1) Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person^(C2) is being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our momentary light affliction^(C1) is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.^{(C2) 18} So we do not focus on what is seen,^(C1) but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.