1 So then, as I have this ministry because of Gods mercy to me, I do not lose heart.

2 I have renounced the hidden things of shame, not spending my life in craftiness, nor adulterating the word of God; but setting forth the truth openly, I strive to commend myself to every mans conscience as in the sight of God.

3 But even if my gospel, too, is "veiled," it is among those who are on the way to perish that it is "veiled."

4 Among them the god of this age has blinded the understanding of the unbelieving so that the sunshine of the gospel of God, should not dawn upon them.

5 It is not myself that I proclaim, but Christ Jesus as Master, and myself that I proclaim, and myself your slave for Jesus sake.

6 For God who said, "Out of darkness light shall shine," is he who has shone in my heart, that the sunrise of the knowledge of God may shine forth in the face of Christ.

7 But I hold this treasure in an earthen vessel, in order that the surpassing greatness of the power may be from God, and not from myself.

8 On every side I am hard pressed, yet not hemmed in; perplexed, but not in despair;

9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

10 Wherever I go, I am always carrying about in my body the dying of Jesus, in order that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in this body of mine.

11 For, alive though I am, I am always given over to death for the sake of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may shine forth in my dying flesh.

12 So while death is working in me, life is working in you.

13 But having the same spirit of faith of which it is written, I believed, and therefore have spoken, I also believe and so I speak.

14 For I know that He who raised from the dead the Lord Jesus, will raise me also with Jesus, and set me at your side in his presence.

15 For everything is for your sakes, so that more abundant grace, because of the thanksgiving of many voices, might overflow to the glory of God.

16 For this reason, as I have said, I do not lose courage, but even though my outward man is wasting away, my inward man is being renewed, day by day.

17 For my light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working out for me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

18 while I am gazing not at things seen, but at things unseen; for things seen are temporal, but things unseen are eternal.