2 Corinthians 4:5-12

New International Version

⁵ For what we preach is not ourselves,^(A) but Jesus Christ as Lord,^(B) and ourselves as your servants^(C) for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”^[a](D) made his light shine in our hearts^(E) to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.^(F)

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