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2 Corinthians 4-6
American Standard Version

4 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint not: 2 but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our [a]gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that [b]perish: 4 in whom the god of this [c]world hath blinded the [d]minds of the unbelieving, [e]that the [f]light of the [g]gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your [h]servants [i]for Jesus’ sake. 6 Seeing it is God, that said, [j]Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the [k]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 exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves; 8 we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; 9 pursued, yet not [l]forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed; 10 always bearing about in the body the [m]dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you. 13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, [n]I believed, and therefore did I speak; we also believe, and therefore also we speak; 14 knowing that he that raised up [o]the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also with Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through [p]the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God.

16 Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; 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.

5 For we know that if the earthly house of our [q]tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. 2 For verily in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our habitation which is from heaven: 3 if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For indeed we that are in this [r]tabernacle do groan, [s]being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed, but that we would be clothed upon, that what is mortal may be swallowed up of life. 5 Now he that wrought us for this very thing is God, who gave unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 6 Being therefore always of good courage, and knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord 7 (for we walk by faith, not by [t]sight); 8 we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord. 9 Wherefore also we [u]make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing unto him. 10 For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done [v]in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

11 Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. 12 We are not again commending ourselves unto you, but speak as giving you occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may have wherewith to answer them that glory in appearance, and not in heart. 13 For whether we [w]are beside ourselves, it is unto God; or whether we are of sober mind, it is unto you. 14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and he died for all, that they that live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who for their sakes died and rose again. 16 Wherefore we henceforth know no man after the flesh: even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more. 17 Wherefore if any man is in Christ, [x]he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new. 18 But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, and having [y]committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

20 We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God. 21 Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him. 6 1 And working together with him we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain 2 (for he saith,

[z]At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee,
And in a day of salvation did I succor thee:

behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation): 3 giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed; 4 but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much [aa]patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; 6 in pureness, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned, 7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; [ab]by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

11 Our mouth is open unto you, O Corinthians, our heart is enlarged. 12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own affections. 13 Now for a recompense in like kind (I speak as unto my children), be ye also enlarged. 14 Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with [ac]Belial? or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement hath a [ad]temple of God with idols? for we are a [ae]temple of the living God; even as God said, [af]I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore

[ag]Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate,

saith the Lord,

And touch no unclean thing;
And I will receive you,
18 [ah]And will be to you a Father,
And ye shall be to me sons and daughters,

saith the Lord Almighty.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 4:3 See marginal note on 2:12.
  2. 2 Corinthians 4:3 Or, are perishing
  3. 2 Corinthians 4:4 Or, age
  4. 2 Corinthians 4:4 Greek thoughts.
  5. 2 Corinthians 4:4 Or, that they should not see the light . . . image of God
  6. 2 Corinthians 4:4 Greek illumination.
  7. 2 Corinthians 4:4 See marginal note on 2:12.
  8. 2 Corinthians 4:5 Greek bondservants. Compare 1 Cor. 9:19.
  9. 2 Corinthians 4:5 Some ancient authorities read through Jesus.
  10. 2 Corinthians 4:6 Gen. 1:3.
  11. 2 Corinthians 4:6 Greek illumination.
  12. 2 Corinthians 4:9 Or, left behind
  13. 2 Corinthians 4:10 Greek putting to death.
  14. 2 Corinthians 4:13 Ps. 116:10.
  15. 2 Corinthians 4:14 Some ancient authorities omit the Lord.
  16. 2 Corinthians 4:15 Greek the more.
  17. 2 Corinthians 5:1 Or, bodily frame. Compare Wisd. 9:15.
  18. 2 Corinthians 5:4 Or, bodily frame. Compare Wisd. 9:15.
  19. 2 Corinthians 5:4 Or, being burdened, in that we would not be unclothed, but would be clothed upon
  20. 2 Corinthians 5:7 Greek appearance.
  21. 2 Corinthians 5:9 Greek are ambitious. See Rom. 15:20 margin.
  22. 2 Corinthians 5:10 Greek through.
  23. 2 Corinthians 5:13 Or, were
  24. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Or, there is a new creation
  25. 2 Corinthians 5:19 Or, placed in us
  26. 2 Corinthians 6:2 Isa. 49:8.
  27. 2 Corinthians 6:4 Or, stedfastness
  28. 2 Corinthians 6:7 Greek through.
  29. 2 Corinthians 6:15 Greek Beliar.
  30. 2 Corinthians 6:16 Or, sanctuary
  31. 2 Corinthians 6:16 Or, sanctuary
  32. 2 Corinthians 6:16 Lev. 26:12; Ex. 29:45; Ezek. 37:27; Jer. 31:1.
  33. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Isa. 52:11.
  34. 2 Corinthians 6:18 Hos. 1:10; Isa. 43:6.
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2 Corinthians 3
2 Corinthians 7
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