2 Corinthians 4:7-5:10

New International Version

⁷But we have this treasure in jars of clay^(A) to show that this all-surpassing power is from God^(B) and not from us. ⁸We are hard pressed on every side,^(C) but not crushed; perplexed,^(D) but not in despair; ⁹persecuted,^(E) but not abandoned;^(F) struck down, but not destroyed.^(G) ¹⁰We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus,^(H) so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.^(I) ¹¹For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake,^(J) so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. ¹²So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.^(K)

¹³It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”^[a]^(L) Since we have that same spirit of^[b] faith,^(M) we also believe and therefore speak, ¹⁴because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead^(N) will also raise us with Jesus^(O) and present us with you to himself.^(P) ¹⁵All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving^(Q) to overflow to the glory of God.

¹⁶Therefore we do not lose heart.^(R) Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly^(S) we are being renewed^(T) day by day. ¹⁷For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.^(U) ¹⁸So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,^(V) since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Awaiting the New Body

5 For we know that if the earthly^(W) tent^(X) we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. ²Meanwhile we groan,^(Y) longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,^(Z) ³because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. ⁴For while we are in this tent, we groan^(AA) and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,^(AB) so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. ⁵Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.^(AC)

⁶Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ⁷For we live by faith, not by sight.^(AD) ⁸We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.^(AE) ⁹So we make it our goal to please him,^(AF) whether we are at home in the body or away from it. ¹⁰For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us^(AG) for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Footnotes

2 Corinthians 4:13 Psalm 116:10 (see Septuagint)
2 Corinthians 4:13 Or Spirit-given

Psalm 71

New International Version

Psalm 71^(A)

¹In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;^(B)
    let me never be put to shame.^(C)
²In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
    turn your ear^(D) to me and save me.
³Be my rock of refuge,
    to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
    for you are my rock and my fortress.^(E)
⁴Deliver^(F) me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,^(G)
    from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.^(H)

⁵For you have been my hope,^(I) Sovereign Lord,
    my confidence^(J) since my youth.
⁶From birth^(K) I have relied on you;
    you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.^(L)
    I will ever praise^(M) you.
⁷I have become a sign^(N) to many;
    you are my strong refuge.^(O)
⁸My mouth^(P) is filled with your praise,
    declaring your splendor^(Q) all day long.

⁹Do not cast^(R) me away when I am old;^(S)
    do not forsake^(T) me when my strength is gone.
¹⁰For my enemies^(U) speak against me;
    those who wait to kill^(V) me conspire^(W) together.
¹¹They say, “God has forsaken^(X) him;
    pursue him and seize him,
    for no one will rescue^(Y) him.”
¹²Do not be far^(Z) from me, my God;
    come quickly, God, to help^(AA) me.
¹³May my accusers^(AB) perish in shame;^(AC)
    may those who want to harm me
    be covered with scorn and disgrace.^(AD)

¹⁴As for me, I will always have hope;^(AE)
I will praise you more and more.

¹⁵My mouth will tell^(AF) of your righteous deeds,^(AG)
    of your saving acts all day long—
    though I know not how to relate them all.
¹⁶I will come and proclaim your mighty acts,^(AH) Sovereign Lord;
    I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
¹⁷Since my youth, God, you have taught^(AI) me,
    and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.^(AJ)
¹⁸Even when I am old and gray,^(AK)
    do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power^(AL) to the next generation,
    your mighty acts to all who are to come.^(AM)

¹⁹Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,^(AN)
    you who have done great things.^(AO)
    Who is like you, God?^(AP)
²⁰Though you have made me see troubles,^(AQ)
    many and bitter,
    you will restore^(AR) my life again;
from the depths of the earth^(AS)
    you will again bring me up.
²¹You will increase my honor^(AT)
    and comfort^(AU) me once more.

²²I will praise you with the harp^(AV)
    for your faithfulness, my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,^(AW)
    Holy One of Israel.^(AX)
²³My lips will shout for joy^(AY)
    when I sing praise to you—
    I whom you have delivered.^(AZ)
²⁴My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
    all day long,^(BA)
for those who wanted to harm me^(BB)
    have been put to shame and confusion.^(BC)