1 Therefore, since we have this ministry through the mercy we have received, we do not lose heart. 2 Instead, we have renounced shameful things done in secret. We do not act with cunning or falsify the word of God. By making the truth known, we commend ourselves to every human conscience in the sight of God. 3 Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing. 4 In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, so that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine on them. 5 For we proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake, rather than proclaiming ourselves. 6 For God, who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God's glory in the face of Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in clay vessels, so that the surpassing power may be God's and may not come from us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry the dying of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who live are always being handed over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.

13 Since we have the same spirit of faith as expressed in what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we too believe, and therefore we speak, 14 knowing that the one who raised Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us together with you. 15 For all this is for your sake, so that grace, increasing through more and more people, may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, 18 as we fix our attention on what is unseen rather than on what is seen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.