1Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy,4:1 Mt 5:7; Mk 5:19; Lk 1:50 we do not give up.4:1 2Th 3:13

2Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful things, not acting4:2 2Jn 6 deceitfully or distorting the word of God,4:2 2Co 2:17; 2Tm 2:15; Heb 4:12 but commending ourselves before God to everyone’s conscience by an open display of the truth.4:2 2Co 5:11–12; 6:7; 7:14

3But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

4In their case, the god of this age4:4 Lk 16:8 has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ,4:4 Or the gospel of the glorious Christ, or the glorious gospel of Christ4:4 Mk 10:37 who is the image of God.4:4 Gn 1:27

5For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord,4:5 Php 2:11 and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake.

6For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”4:6 Gn 1:3; Mt 6:23 has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge4:6 Php 3:8; 1Jn 4:8 of God’s glory4:6 Mk 10:37; Lk 9:32; Jn 17:24; 2Co 3:18; 2Pt 3:18 in the face of Jesus Christ.

7Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power4:7 Mk 5:30; Lk 1:35; 6:19; Ac 19:11; 2Co 13:4; Rv 11:17 may be from God and not from us.

8We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair;

9we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed.

10We always carry the death of Jesus4:10 Lk 9:23; Rm 5:6–8; 6:5–8; 8:34–36; Gl 6:17 in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be displayed in our body.

11For we who live are always being given over to death4:11 Mt 10:21; Jn 8:51; Php 3:10 for Jesus’s sake, so that Jesus’s life may also be displayed in our mortal flesh.

12So then, death is at work in us, but life in you.

13And since we have the same spirit of faith in keeping with what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke,4:13Ps 116:10 LXX4:13 Ps 116:10 LXX we also believe, and therefore speak.

14For we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus4:14 1Th 4:14 and present us with you.

15Indeed, everything is for your benefit so that, as grace extends through more and more people, it may cause thanksgiving4:15 2Co 9:11 to increase to the glory of God.