2 Corinthians 4:7–5:15

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

8  every way afflicted, but not straitened; seeing no apparent issue, but our way not entirely shut up; 9  persecuted, but not abandoned; cast down, but not destroyed; 10  always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body; 11  for we who live are always delivered unto death on account of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh; 12  so that death works in us, but life in you. 13  And having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, I have believed, therefore have I spoken; we also believe, therefore also we speak; 14  knowing that he who has raised the Lord Jesus shall raise us also with Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15  For all things are for your sakes, that the grace abounding through the many may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. 16  Wherefore we faint not; but if indeed our outward man is consumed, yet the inward is renewed day by day. 17  For our momentary and light affliction works for us in surpassing measure an eternal weight of glory; 18  while we look not at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen; for the things that are seen are for a time, but those that are not seen eternal.

Chapter 5

1  For we know that if our earthly tabernacle house be destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2  For indeed in this we groan, ardently desiring to have put on our house which is from heaven; 3  if indeed being also clothed we shall not be found naked. 4  For indeed we who are in the tabernacle groan, being burdened; while yet we do not wish to be unclothed, but clothed, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5  Now he that has wrought us for this very thing is God, who also has given to us the earnest of the Spirit. 6  Therefore we are always confident, and know that while present in the body we are absent from the Lord, 7  (for we walk by faith, not by sight;) 8  we are confident, I say, and pleased rather to be absent from the body and present with the Lord. 9  Wherefore also we are zealous, whether present or absent, to be agreeable to him. 10  For we must all be manifested before the judgment-seat of the Christ, that each may receive the things done in the body, according to those he has done, whether it be good or evil. 11  Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord we persuade men, but have been manifested to God, and I hope also that we have been manifested in your consciences.

12  For we do not again commend ourselves to you, but we are giving to you occasion of boast in our behalf, that ye may have such with those boasting in countenance, and not in heart. 13  For whether we are beside ourselves, it is to God; or are sober, it is for you. 14  For the love of the Christ constrains us, having judged this: that one died for all, then all have died; 15  and he died for all, that they who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who died for them and has been raised.