King James Version KJV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
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Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.
2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
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We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God's word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God.
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
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And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
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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 preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
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For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
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For it is the God who said, "Let light 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.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
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But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
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We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
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persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
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always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.
11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
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For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
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So death is at work in us, but life in you.
13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
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But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture—"I believed, and so I spoke"—we also believe, and so we speak,
14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
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because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
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Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
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So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
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For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure,
18 While we 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.
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because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.