Study Desk

For you are known to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the spirit of the Living God; not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of the living heart.

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our strength comes from God,

Who has made us worthy to be ministers of the new covenant; not of the letter, but the Spirit: for the letter of the law punishes with death, but the Spirit gives life.

But their minds were blinded: for to this day, when the Old Testament is read, the same veil rests over them, and it is not known to them that the veil has been removed through Christ.

But even unto this day, whenever the books of Moses are read, the veil is upon their hearts.

But we all, with open faces, see as in a mirror the glory of the LORD, and we shall be transformed into the same likeness, from one glory to another, just as the Spirit comes from the LORD.

But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, and we do not practice cunning, nor do we handle the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth we commend ourselves to every man''s conscience before God.

For we do not preach about ourselves, but about Christ Jesus our LORD; and as to ourselves, we are your servants for Jesus'' sake.

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

We are distressed in every way, but not overwhelmed; we are harassed on all sides, but not conquered;

Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Thus death is close to us, but life is nigh to you.

We do not rejoice in the things which are seen, but in the things which are not seen, for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

While we are in this earthly house, we groan because of its weight: yet we are unwilling to leave it, but rather wish to add to it, so that death will be overcome by life.

We are not boasting of ourselves to you, but we give you occasion to be proud of us, before those who glory as hypocrites but who are not sincere in heart.

And that he died for all, that those who live may not henceforth live for themselves, but for him who died and rose for them.

But in all things let us show ourselves, to be the ministers of God, in much patience, in tribulations, in necessities, in imprisonment,

You are not constrained by us, but are urged by your affections.

For ever since we came to Mac-e-do''ni-a, our bodies have had no rest but have been troubled by everything; war without and fears within.

And not by his coming only, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, for he brought us the good news concerning your love towards us, your mourning and your zeal on our behalf; and when I heard it, I rejoiced exceedingly.