2 Coríntios 4

Derfor, da vi have denne Tjeneste efter den Barmhjertighed, som er bleven os til Del, så tabe vi ikke Modet;

men vi have frasagt os de skammelige Smugveje, så vi ikke vandre i Træskhed, ej heller forfalske Guds Ord, men ved Sandhedens Åbenbarelse anbefale os til alle Menneskers Samvittighed for Guds Åsyn.

Men om også vort Evangelium er tildækket, da er det tildækket iblandt dem, som fortabes,

dem, i hvem denne Verdens Gud har forblindet de vantros Tanker, for at Lyset ikke skulde skinne fra Evangeliet om Kristi Herlighed, han, som er Guds Billede.

Thi ikke os selv prædike vi, men Kristus Jesus som Herre, os derimod som eders Tjenere for Jesu Skyld.

Men denne Skat have vi i Lerkar, for at den overvættes Kraft må være Guds, og ikke fra os,

vi, som trænges på alle Måder, men ikke stænges inde, ere tvivlrådige, men ikke fortvivlede,

forfulgte, men ikke forladte, nedslagne, men ikke ihjelslagne,

altid bærende Jesu Dødelse om i Legemet, for at også Jesu Liv må åbenbares i vort Legeme.

Thi altid overgives vi, som leve, til Død for Jesu Skyld, for at også Jesu Liv må åbenbares i vort dødelige Kød.

Således er Døden virksom i os, men Livet i eder!

idet vi vide, at han, som oprejste den Herre Jesus, skal også oprejse os med Jesus og fremstille os tillige med eder.

Thi det sker alt sammen for eders Skyld, for at Nåden må vokse ved at nå til flere, og til Guds Ære forøge Taksigelsen.

Derfor tabe vi ikke Modet; men om også vort udvortes Menneske fortæres, fornyes dog vort indvortes Dag for Dag.

Thi vor Trængsel, som er stakket og let, virker for os over al Måde og Mål en evig Vægt af Herlighed,

idet vi ikke se på de synlige Ting, men på de usynlige; thi de synlige ere timelige, men de usynlige ere evige.

Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

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. {dishonesty: Gr. shame}

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

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.

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

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. {hath: Gr. is he who hath}

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

{We are} troubled on every side, yet not distressed; {we are} perplexed, but not in despair; {in despair: or, altogether without help, or, means}

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

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.

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.

So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

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;

Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present {us} with you.

For all things {are} for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward {man} is renewed day by day.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding {and} eternal weight of glory;

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.