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2 Corinthians

Paul defends his apostleship and teaches on the power of God in weakness and the importance of generous giving.

Chapter 4

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

*So since we have this job to do, because we've been shown kindness, we don't give up.

2 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.

*Give up secret dishonest actions and don't walk in tricky ways or use God's word in a deceitful manner. Instead, show the truth and let our actions speak for themselves in front of everyone, including God.

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

*But if the good news is hidden, it's hidden for those who are lost.

4 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.

*In this verse, it says that the god of this world has caused people who don't believe to not understand clearly. This is done so they won't see the brightness of the wonderful news about Christ, who shows us what God is like.

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

*We don't brag about ourselves, but talk about Christ Jesus as our leader. We are here to serve you because of Jesus.

6 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.

*God, who made light come from darkness, has shown us light within our hearts. This light helps us know the greatness of God through Jesus Christ's face.

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

*We have this valuable thing inside weak containers so that everyone can see it's God's strength, not ours.

8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

*We face problems all around, but we're not overwhelmed; we don't know how to handle it, but we're not hopeless.

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

*Troubled, yet not abandoned; lowered, but not ruined;

10 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.

*Always remembering the sacrifice of Jesus in our bodies, so that the life of Jesus can be seen in us.

11 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.

*We who are alive always face death for Jesus's benefit, so that the life of Jesus can be shown in our weak bodies.

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

*So, death brings a change in us, but life brings a change in you.

13 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;

*We share the same belief, just like it says in the writing: "I believed and spoke"; so, we too believe and talk about it.

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

*Understanding that the same power who brought back Jesus will also lift us through him, and will present us together with you.

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

*All things are done for you, so that the huge amount of God's kindness can grow more and more because lots of people say thank you, bringing honor to God.

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

*We don't give up for any reason; even if our outer self dies, our inner self gets refreshed every day.

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

*For the little trouble we face, which doesn't last long, gives us something much greater and lasting, a heavy 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.

*We don't focus on what we can see, but on what we cannot see. What we can see is temporary, but what we cannot see lasts forever.

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* work in progress, there will be mistakes

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